NOTES FOR GODS PEOPLE

MARANATHA

Michkie Simon

INTRODUCTION
The Lord often works where we least expect Him; He surprises us by revealing His power through instruments of His own choice, while He passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. Many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them. Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time (GW old ed., 126). It may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed. Elijah took Elisha from the plough, and threw upon him the mantle of consecration. The call to this great and solemn work was presented to men of learning and position; had these men been little in their own eyes, and trusted fully in the Lord, He would have honored them with bearing His standard in triumph to the victory. God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit, than by the outward training of scientific institutions (5T 81, 82). God can breathe new life into every soul that sincerely desires to serve Him, and can touch the lips with a live coal from off the altar, and cause them to become eloquent with His praise. Thousands of voices will be imbued with the power to speak forth the wonderful truths of Gods Word. The stammering tongue will be unloosed, and the timid will be made strong to bear courageous testimony to the truth. May the Lord help His people to cleanse the soul temple from every defilement, and to maintain such a close connection with Him that they may be partakers of the latter rain when it shall be poured out. (Review & Herald, 7/20/1886). 6BC 1055.

NOTES ON THE GLORIOUS SANCTUARY TRUTH

THE GLORIOUS SANCTUARY TRUTH Paul said, I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation {Rom. 1:16}. Jesus said I am able to save you to the uttermost {Heb. 7:25}, which means the power of God unto salvation is the ability of Jesus to save us amply, fully, entirely, and completely from sin. David said thy way O God is in the sanctuary, Ps 77:13, And Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life, John. 14:6. Since Jesus is the way and thy way O God is in the sanctuary, it means the power of God unto salvation is in the Sanctuary. Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary and praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world, John.1:29. To see Gods power and glory demonstrated in our lives, we must by faith see what Jesus is doing for us as High Priest in the sanctuary. While we still have life, love mercy. Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. (Psalm. 150: 1). The psalmist prays that God would send "help from the sanctuary." Ps. 20:2. God's people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where . . . our great High Priest . . . is interceding for His people. {Mar 249.5}. The cleansing of the sanctuary is the work of Jesus as high priest, to blot out sins in our life and in the books of record in heaven. The scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and central pillar of the advent faith was the declaration, "Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the Sanctuary be cleansed." Dan. 8:14. (Story of Redemption pg.375) "And the temple of God was opened in Heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament; and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Rev. 11:19. Here, by the ark of God's testament, is where our High Priest ministers since the close of the 2300 days (1844 A.D.). To this open door in the heavenly sanctuary, Rev. 3:7,8; Isa. 22:22-25, we invite those to come for pardon and salvation, who have not sinned away the day of grace. Our High Priest stands by the MERCY-SEAT (which is simply the top of the ark), and here he offers his blood, not merely for the cleansing of the sanctuary, but also for the pardon of iniquity and transgression. But while we call men to this open door, and point them to the blood of Christ, offered for us at the mercy-seat, we would remind them of the LAW OF GOD beneath the mercy-seat, which made the death of God's beloved Son necessary in order that guilty man might be pardoned. The ark contains God's commandments; and he who would receive the blessing of God, at the hand of our High Priest, must keep the commandments contained in the ark before which he ministers. (The Sanctuary p. 31-32 by James White)

Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come is come {Revelation. 14:7}. Jesus is doing the work of investigative judgment and blotting out of sin from our lives and from the record of iniquity and sin {Is. 43:25}. The wages of sin is death, for all have sin and fall short of the glory of God. I was shape in iniquity and in sin my mother conceived me, Ps. 51:5. O wretched man that I am, who is able to deliver me from this body of death? I thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:24-25). Jesus is in the Heavenly Sanctuary {Heb 8:1-2}, doing the last of the final atonement in the most holy place and he has set before us an open door {Rev. 3:7-8}. Go to Christ by faith make you calling and election sure, probation is about to close, and Gods Spirit will not always strive with men, Genesis. 6:3. Now is the time to get sin out of our lives, because Jesus is coming for church without spot or blemish, Ephesians. 5:27. Jesus said, behold, I stand at the door and knock if anyone hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him, and sup with him and he with me (Revelation 3:20). The Creator and Redeemer want to build an intimate relationship with you, because uniting with Christ is the only hope. Receiving Christ in you is the hope of glory (Colossians 3:27). Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews. 8:1-2) While Jesus pleads as our High Priest, there is hope for every repentant sinner; but when He at last comes forth from the sanctuary, mercys door will be forever closed. There will be no intercessor then (Isaiah 59:16). In the type, when the high priest came out of the sanctuary, he had made an end of reconciling. When our High Priest c omes forth from the sanctuary, He will proclaim, 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(Revelation22:11). Every case is decided for eternity. Probation is forever ended. All who wait until that time, hoping to be saved, will find no one to plead their case before the Father; they will be eternally lost. {The Cross & Shadow p. 89} Before it is everlastingly too late, let us make our calling and election sure! Since we are sinful, unholy, we cannot perfectly obey a holy law. We have no righteousness of our own with which to meet the claims of the law of God, But Christ has made a way of escape for us . He lived on earth amid trials and temptations such as we have to meet. He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness. If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour, then sinful as your life may have been, for his sake, you are accounted righteous. Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just as if you had not sinned." SC 62

God is a God of justice, and before either the sins of the faithful or the names of the unfaithful are blotted from the books of heaven ( Revelation 3:5), there will be an examination of the records, - an investigative judgment. The service in the second apartment of the sanctuary was a type of this work. It was called the day of atonement, or the cleansing of the sanctuary. The record states: On that day shall the priest make an atonement for to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. (Leviticus 16:30) ,The Cross & Shadow p. 79} While Jesus is in the heavenly sanctuary pleading for us, let us take into consideration his long-suffering. "Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him." Ed 263. For six thousand years Jesus has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Even yet He is "wounded for our transgressions" and "bruised for our iniquities." Not alone by looking back is Calvary beheld. The sanctuary above reflects the full dimension of Jesus sin-bearing love (GC489). And He will suffer the pain and agony of the cross until His sanctuary is cleansed from our sin record. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fi ll. Great Controversy. Pg 488 There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ's cleansing sanctuary, where . . . our great High Priest . . . is interceding for His people. {Mar 249.4} 1 Tim. 2:5. There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrew. 7:25) Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary, and He is there to make an atonement for the people. He is there to present His wounded side and pierced hands to His Father. He is there to plead for His Church that is upon the earth. He is cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people. What is our work? It is our work to be in harmony with the work of Christ. By faith we are to work with Him, to be in union with Him. Review and Herald, Jan. 28, 1890.

This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews. 10: 16-17) While Christ is cleansing the sanctuary, the worshipers on earth should carefully review their life, and compare their character with the standard of righteousness. As they see their defects, they should seek the aid of the Spirit of God to enable them to have moral strength to resist the temptation of Satan, and to reach the perfection of the standard. They may be victors over the very temptations which seemed too strong for humanity to bear; for the divine power will be combined with their human effort, and Satan cannot overcome them. Review and Herald, April 8, 1890. "God has a church on earth who are lifting up the downtrodden law, and presenting to the world the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. The church is the depositary of the wealth of the riches of the grace of Christ, and through the church eventually will be made manifest the final and full display of the love of God to the world that is to be lightened with its glory." -Testimonies to Ministers, p. 50. Thy way, O God, [is] in the sanctuary: who [is so] great a God as [our] God? (Ps. 77:13) "Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man." Heb. 8:1,2. "A glorious high throne from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary." Jer. 17:12; Rev. 16:17; Ps. 11:4. "For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from Heaven did the Lord behold the earth." Ps. 102:19. (The Sanctuary p. 9 by James White) Let us Awake! Let us awake! There is power with God; and we may receive power and guidance from on high, if we earnestly pray, and zealously and diligently work for it. May God reach down his arm of power and help us. "Send us help from the Sanctuary and strengthen us out of Zion (Ps. 20:2)." R. F. Cottrell. {June 7, 1864 UrSe, ARSH 14.8} When we are in Christ, the bible declares: Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful [is] he that calleth you, who also will do [it]. (1Thessalonians. 5:22-24). The demonstration which God intends to make with the last generation on earth means much, both to the people and to God. Can God's law really be kept? That is a vital question. Many deny that it can be done; others glibly say it can. When the whole question of commandment keeping is considered, the problem assumes large proportions' God's law is exceedingly broad; it takes cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It judges motives as well as acts, thoughts as well as words. Commandment keeping means entire

sanctification, a holy life, unswerving allegiance to right, entire separation from sin, and victory over it. Well may mortal man cry out, Who is sufficient for these things?Yet, to produce a people that will keep the law is the task which God has set Himself and which He expects to accomplish. When the statement and challenge are issued by Satan: No one can keep the law. It is impossible. If there be any that can do it or that have done it, show them to me. Where are they that keep the commandments? God will quietly answer, Here they are. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12. The Sanctuary Service 112 M. L Andreasen

Thus it shall be with the last generation of men living on the earth. Through them God's final demonstration of what He can do with humanity will be given. He will take the weakest of the weak, those bearing the sins of their forefathers, and in them show the power of God. They will be subjected to every temptation, but they will not yield. They will demonstrate that it is possible to live without sin-the very demonstration for which the world has been looking and for which God has been preparing. It will become evident to all that the gospel really can save to the uttermost. God is found true in His sayings. The Sanctuary Service 108 M. L Andreasen Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation. 14:12). Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation. 22:14)

The people of God must be awakened, and gathered around the "sanctuary of strength" (Joel 2 :15-17). "Press together, press together, press together, press together, ye shepherds, lest the sheep be scattered. Love one another as I have loved you. Swim, swim, swim, plunge deep, deep, deep in the ocean of God's love. Come into a nearness with God." I saw that we must overcome perfectly and get the victory over the powers of darkness. {12MR 251.1}

We are now to follow on to know the Lord . Day by day he is to enter into a deeper experience of repentance, death to sin, cleansing, and renewing of life. Entering by faith into the great at-one-ment with God is a progressive experience. "There will be a continual

reaching out of the soul after God, a continual, earnest, heart-breaking confession of sin and humbling of the heart before him." Day by day we are to die a deeper death to selfishness and pride. Sanctification, my friends, is simply accepting anew and afresh day by day that life, and learning what it means to enter deeper and deeper into the experience of living the precious life of Christ. The soul temple must be cleansed. There must be a deep earnestness in the people of God in cooperating with JESUS our great High Priest in the work of cleansing the heavenly sanctuary of all the sin record, and putting away sin from our lives. "Know therefore and understand," that in this day of atonement, while our Great High Priest is cleansing the sanctuary, (blotting out his people's sins,) preparing his jewels (Mal.3:17) of all sizes to enter the splendid and most glorious mansions in the New Jerusalem, which he promised them (John 14), we are to get ready and be ready! "Having these promises dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2Cor.vii,1. And in Eph.iii,14, he prays that they may be rooted and grounded in love, and be able to comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, and be filled with all the fullness of God. {December 23, 1858 UrSe, ARSH 33.5} Again, 1Thess.v,23, "The very God of peace sanctify you wholly," etc. Jesus says, "Be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matt.v,48. Again he says, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matt.xxii,37. {December 23, 1858 UrSe, ARSH 33.6}

Once you are willing to trust God and obey him, he will sanctify himself in you, before the heathen nation (Ezekiel 36:23). Christ will reveal to the world, God is stronger than sin in your life and in mine he will demonstrate the power of God unto salvation. If you walk in the Spirit, in connection with Christ every day, God will dwell in you, and in your sinful flesh, instead of sin manifesting itself, Gods righteousness will be revealed in you, because it is no longer I, but Christ liveth in me (Galatians 2:20). This is why we should praise God, fear, and give glory to him (Revelation 14:7), because Christ will do what he said he will do, and what he said will be done in the lives and hearts of each believer, which is the completion of the work of Gods grace in the human soul, and the restoration of the moral image, glory (character) of God in man. There will be a people who will look just like Jesus in Character. Look at this equation: 0 + Infinity = Infinity,

Believer+Christ=The righteousness of God. Calvary will be vindicated in the last generation, the same love will be reproduce in them unto perfection. Wake up, wake up, my brethren and sisters. You must do the work that Christ did when He was upon this earth. Remember that you may act as God's helping hand in opening the prison doors to those that are bound. Wonderful is the work that God desires to accomplish through His servants, that His name may constantly be glorified. He is waiting to work through His people. Those who are willing to be used will obtain a rich experience, an experience of the goodness of God. {16MR 75.2} I cry tears of joy, for his goodness and mercy endureth forever! Praise his holy matchless name, O praise him now and forever more, because he giveth a great salvation to all liberally. Thank God for JESUS, Oh, thank God for his dear Son, I will bless the LORD at all times, YES, his praise shall be continually in my mouth! Let us keep looking up, looking up through your weary day; walk with GOD, talk with GOD, cling to GOD, express your heart to the Lord in song, because He cares for you!

Oh, do we truly, really, and whole heartedly love the SAVIOUR? Oh my, do we truly appreciate the grand privilege of all privileges ever granted to man! The privilege of being Gods trophies of his saving grace, the privilege of seeing JESUS face to face, the privilege to walk the streets of gold, the privilege to sit next God on his throne (Revelation 3:21), and there are too many privileges to speak of! But before all the celebration we have a work to do, the most solemn work known to man, it is the work of putting sin away, and through his grace purify ourselves just like he is pure (1 John 3:3).

The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all sin. Christ's ministry in the true sanctuary can "purge your conscience," can "make the comers thereunto perfect," can perfect the conscience, and can "perfect forever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 9 :9, 14 ; 10 : 1-4 ; 14-18). This is as clear as language can make it. The object of Christ's ministry in His sanctuary is to restore the moral image of God in man.

NOTES ON THE BLOTTING OUT OF SIN

BLOTTING OUT OF SIN 1 "The hour of His judgment is come (Revelation 14:7). Therefore, in the time of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, which is now, in the atonement made once for all, whosoever shall not confess his sins, and be partaker of the intercession of Christ, can have no part in the atonement of Christ; and when that sanctuary shall have been cleansed, and that atonement made, he will have to be cut off without mercy -- he can have no other opportunity, his probation will be ended. Of such it will be said, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still." No longer will the precious, cleansing blood be applied. These are they who shall wring out and drink the dregs of the cup that is in the hand of the Lord (Ps. 75:8); these are they who "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation." Rev. 14:10 (The Great Nations of Today p. 124) But now we are living in the days while probation is granted, and the doors of mercy are still open! Even now, Jesus is still pleading for us before the father! "For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins; you shall be clean before the Lord." Lev. 16 :30."And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the Lord your God ."Lev. 23 :28 .And he shall make an atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make an atonement for the tabernacle of the congregation, and for the altar, and he shall make an atonement for the priests, and for all the people of the congregation. (Lev. 16:33) From the Holy of Holies, there goes on the grand work of instruction. The angels of God are communicating to men. Christ officiates in the sanctuary. We do not follow Him into the sanctuary as we should. Christ and angels work in the hearts of the children of men. The church above united with the church below is warring the good warfare upon the earth. There must be a purifying of the soul here upon the earth, in harmony with Christ's cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven {Mar 249.4}. The faith which looks unto Jesus, therefore, looks into the sanctuary in heaven, and beholds Him engaged in His priestly work before His Father. The command to the voice is, "Prepare ye the way of Jehovah!" It is to prepare the way for the Lord's coming. Well, what hinders His coming now? Why could He not have come at any time in the past? Simply because the people were not prepared for His coming. The condition of His professed followers hindered His advent. The way of the Lord is in the sanctuary, and His sanctuary is His people, therefore

we see that the way of the Lord is prepared only by the preparation of His people,-by the cleansing of the sanctuary. {August 31, 1899 EJW, PTUK 549.18} Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away sin, among God's people on earth. {RH, January 17, 1907 par. 4}

The cleansing of the sanctuary is the work of Jesus as high priest, to blot out sins in our life and in the books of record in heaven, to remove sin from our character. JESUS our brother of the flesh, and our divine high priest is pleading for us in the heavenly Sanctuary (Hebrews 2:14-18). The atoning work can only last a little longer, get ready get ready get ready, time is almost finish! Jesus will not come until his sanctuary is cleansed from all our sin record and until sin is removed from our lives and characters! The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), every time we sin it is recorded by God with pen (Jeremiah 17:1), but now Jesus is doing a special atonement, which is to bring us to completion and perfection, to finish the work of Gods grace in our soul! Jesus is longing to see the travail of his soul and be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11).

Here is the truth and nothing but the truth: He that committeth sin is of the devil (1 John 3 :8). The carnal mind is enmity (hatred) against God (Romans 8 :7). Whosoever hateth his brother (or God) is a murderer (1 John 3 :15). Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the Son of God (The Desire of Ages, p. 745). By every sin Jesus is wounded afresh (Hebrews 6:6). But Jesus is still pleading for us! "The efficacy of the blood of Christ was to be presented to the people with freshness and power, that their faith might lay hold upon its merits. As the high priest sprinkled the warm blood upon the mercy seat, while the fragrant cloud of incense ascended before God, so while we confess our sins, and plead the efficacy of Christ's atoning blood, our prayers are to ascend to heaven, fragrant with the merits of our Saviour's character "(TM 92-3).

Now we should be: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.(Titus 2:13-14)

Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (EPHESIANS. 5: 25-27). Now unto (Jesus) him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. (JUDE. 24) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb. 8:12) This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb. 10:16-17) And [having] an high priest over the house of God; Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) (Heb. 10:21, 23) He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Proverbs 28:13. Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away sin, among God's people on earth. {RH, January 17, 1907 par. 4} Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts. 3:19) And the blotting out of sins is exactly this thing of the cleansing of the sanctuary; it is the finishing of all transgression in our lives; it is the making an end of all sins in our character; it is the bringing in of the very righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, to abide alone everlastingly. This blotting out of sins must precede the receiving of the refreshing of the latter rain. For it is only upon those who have the blessing of Abraham that the promise of the Spirit comes, and it is only those who are redeemed from sin upon whom the blessing of Abraham comes. Gal. 3:13, 14. Therefore now as never before we are to repent and be converted that our sins may be blotted out, that an utter end shall be made of them forever in our lives and everlasting righteousness brought in. And this, in order that the fulness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit shall be ours in this time of the refreshing of the latter rain. And

all this must be done in order that the harvest-ripening message of the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world with that power from on high by which the earth shall be lightened with its glory. (The Consecrated Way to Christian Perfection p. 64) And this true faith in Christ the Son of God as that true priest, in that true ministry, of that true sanctuary, at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; that His priesthood and ministry finishes transgression and makes an end of sins and makes reconciliation for iniquity and brings in everlasting righteousness--this true faith will make every comer thereunto perfect. It will prepare him for the seal of God and for the final anointing of the Most Holy. And then in the righteousness, the peace, and the power of this true faith, let every soul who knows it spread abroad to all people and to the end of the world the glorious news of the priesthood of Christ, of the cleansing of the sanctuary, of the finishing of the mystery of God, of the times of refreshing come, and of the soon coming of the Lord "to be glorified in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe...in that day" and to "present to Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing" but "holy and without blemish. (Ephesians. 5:27)". (Ibid. p.66) {A T. JONES}

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure, That ye 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. (PHILLIPIANS. 2: 13, 15) Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians. 5: 22-23). "Christ's character stands in place of [our] character." "He becomes our Righteousness. The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect, no stain. This precious gift from Jesus is ours by faith, because we bring the very presence of CHRIST into our lives and heart by faith (Ephesians 3:17). But let us remember that while He is perfect, we are not perfect. "The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes ; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to his perfect nature. The soul that is transformed by the grace of Christ will admire His divine character ; but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakable evidence that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of Christ . "SC 64-5. Enfeebled and defective, needing constantly to be warned and counseled, the church is nevertheless the object of Christ's supreme regard. He is making experiments of grace on human hearts, and is effecting such transformations of character that angels are amazed, and

express their joy in songs of praise. They rejoice to think that sinful, erring human beings can be so transformed. {RH, January 20, 1903 par. 13} God said: Thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. (Isaiah. 43:24-25) This, then, is the message, that God is light; and if we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, -- blots out all iniquity. The proof of whether or not we have the truth is in the effect that that which we have has upon our lives. Does it cleanse us from unrighteousness? If we walk in the light, then the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us. Light is the flowing forth of God's life, which cleanses and blots out sin. The blotting out of sin is the erasing of it from the Nature (Character) The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Our bodies are but the channel, the border, the sand upon the shore, of the river of life. Impressions have been made upon us by sin. At the seashore when you see a smooth piece of sand, your first impulse is to make some mark on it, to write some characters upon it. Then the sea comes up, and each wave that passes over it helps to obliterate the impression until it is entirely blotted out. Even so the stream of life from the throne of God will wash away and blot out the impressions of sin upon us. The erasing of sin is the blotting of it from our natures (Characters), so that we shall know it no more. "The worshipers once purged" -- actually purged by the blood of Christ have "no more conscience of sin," because the way of sin is gone from them. Their iniquity may be sought for, but it will not be found. It is for ever gone from them, -- it is foreign to their new natures, and even though they may be able to recall the fact that they have committed certain sins, they have forgotten the sin itself -- they do not think of doing it any more. This is the work of Christ in the true sanctuary which the Lord pitched, and not man, -- the sanctuary not made with hands, but brought into existence by the thought of God. (RH, September 30, 1902. E. J. WAGGONER In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and [there shall be] none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve. (JEREMIAH. 50:20) The sinner will exclaim with the Psalmist, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him." Psalm 103:13. In the parable there is no taunting, no casting up to the prodigal of his evil course. The son feels that the past is forgiven and forgotten, blotted out forever. And so God says to the sinner, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins," Isaiah 44:22. "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." Jeremiah 31:34. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the

unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:7. "In those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found." Jeremiah 50:20. {COL 204.3} Jesus will appear in the judgment as the advocate of His people, to plead in their behalf before God. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 9:24; 7:25). (RC, Chapter. 48) Now is the time to obtain the white robe of character. Now is the time to confess and forsake sin and come to God with contrition of soul, that your sins may be blotted out and your names retained in the Lamb's Book of Life. {21MR 383.4}

Acts 3:19-21. The sins of all who have repented of their sins will be blotted out, thus cleansing the heavenly sanctuary of all the sins of the righteous. Every one who believes in Jesus Christ, in the sacrifice which He has made, in the priesthood and ministry which He exercises in the true sanctuary must not only confess his sins, but he must then forever implicitly trust that true High Priest in His ministry in the true sanctuary to finish transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness in his heart and life. {1905 ATJ, CWCP 122.2} We need to invite Jesus to abide in our hearts and lives, "there is a need of such cleansing of the sanctuary, such an idea of the cleansing of the sanctuary as will finish transgression in the life of every one, will make an end of sins there, and will make reconciliation for all the sins that have ever been there, and bring in, oh, to bring in everlasting righteousness, --a righteousness that comes to stay, a righteousness that comes to abide, a righteousness that comes to rule, everlasting, and to keep us unto that everlasting inheritance, and take us to everlasting mansions!" {April 1, 1903 N/A, GCB 43.8}

Christ is in the heavenly sanctuary, and He is there to make an atonement for the people. He is there to present His wounded side and pierced hands to His Father. He is there to plead for His Church that is upon the earth. He is cleansing the sanctuary from the sins of the people. What is our work? It is our work to be in harmony with the work of Christ. By faith we are to work with Him, to be in union with Him. Review and Herald, Jan. 28, 1890.

NOTES ON THE INCARNATION

Incarnation 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John. 1:1, 14) . . . As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren. Heb. 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are. Heb. 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. . . His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God. DA 24.2 Christ overcame the temptations of Satan as a man. Every man may overcome as Christ overcame. He humbled Himself for us. He was tempted in all points like as we are. He redeemed Adam's disgraceful failure and fall, and was conqueror, thus testifying to all the unfallen worlds and to fallen humanity that man could keep the commandments of God through the divine power granted to him of heaven. Jesus the Son of God humbled Himself for us, endured temptation for us, overcame in our behalf to show us how we may overcome. He has thus bound up His interests with humanity by the closest ties, and has given the positive assurance that we shall not be tempted above that we are able, for with the temptation He will make a way of escape. {3SM 136.3} We must practice the example of Christ, bearing in mind His Sonship and His humanity. It was not God that was tempted in the wilderness, nor a God that was to endure the contradiction of sinners against Himself. It was the Majesty of heaven who became a man-- humbled Himself to our human nature.{3SM p. 140} Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto [his] brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews. 2: 17) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. (Hebrews. 4:14-15)

There is more in that word "touched" than simply that he is reached with the feeling of our weaknesses, and feels as we feel. He feels as we feel, that is true, but beyond that he is "touched;" that is, he is tenderly affected; his sympathy is stirred. He is touched to tenderness and affected to sympathy, and he helps us. This is what is said in the words, "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." Thank the Lord for such a Saviour! (A.T. Jones, GCB 1895, p. 180) Satan has exhausted all the temptations that he knows, or possibly can know, and has exhausted all his power in the temptation too, what is he? In the presence of Christ, what is he?Powerless. And when he finds us in Christ, and then would reach us and harass us, what is he?Powerless. Praise and magnify the Lord! Let us rejoice in this; for in him we are victors; in him we are free; in him Satan is powerless toward us. Let us be thankful for that. In him we are complete. (A.T. Jones, GCB 1895, p. 183) And this boundless grace is all given, given freely, to "every one of us." To us it is. To you and me, just as we are. And that is good. We need just that much grace to make us what the Lord wants us to be. And He is just so kind as to give it all to us freely that we may be indeed just what He wants us to be. (Lessons of faith: p. 52 A T. Jones) For Jesus is full of grace and truth. (John. 1:14) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:20) For we are the church.which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28). .By his own blood..obtained eternal redemption *for us+ (Hebrews 9:12). Praise be unto JESUS, the Son of GOD! In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7). Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to give life to those who had forfeited their life to Satan. He, the stronger than the strong, came and entered into the prison-house of Satan, that He might redeem His captives. {July 14, 1892 EJW, PTUK 216.9} And Jesus became the captain of our salvation through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Yes, praise the LORD for freedom and deliverance from sin! If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36). For all that the Saviour did and is doing, do you truly love the Saviour? Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). Again, JESUS came to "seek and to save that which was lost." And in saving the lost, He came to the lost where we are. He put Himself among the lost. "He was numbered with the transgressors." He was "made to be sin." And from the standpoint of the weakness and infirmity of the lost, He trusted in God, that He would deliver Him and save Him. Laden with

the sins of the world; and tempted in all points like as we are, He hoped in God and trusted in God to save Him from all those sins and to keep Him from sinning. For it is written: Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:7-9). He assumed human nature, bearing the infirmities and degeneracy of the race. He humiliated himself to the lowest depths of human woe, that he might sympathize with man and rescue him from the degradation into which sin had plunged him. {February 25, 1895 ATJ, GCB 333.1} Only the Infinite mind can grasp the breadth and length and depth and height, and know the love of Christ which "passeth knowledge"; but this theme will be man's study throughout eternity, for when it is known, it reveals the fullness of God. Again it is infinite love. And as it is measured, it must be measured in every direction; there is length and breadth and height and depth; and in it all, the measures read, Love! infinite, far-reaching love! {1905 SNH, SSP 193.1} Christ has passed through lower depths and darker trials than any that ever have been or can be experienced by His earthly children. He did this that He might "save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him." He descended to the lowest depths of human woe, that He might reach and save those who were sunken therein, as well as those who had fallen less low. {December 14, 1893 EJW, PTUK 578.6} Go then even into the lowest depths, in your mad attempt to flee from the presence of the Lord, and there you will find the cross of Him who is "mighty to save." {March 31, 1897 EJW, PTUK 194.8} And this is the faith of Jesus: this is the point where the faith of Jesus reaches lost, sinful man to help him. For thus it has been demonstrated to the very fulness of perfection, that there is no man in the wide world for whom there is not hope in God, no one so lost that he can not be saved by trusting God in this faith of Jesus. And this faith of Jesus, by which in the place of the lost, He hoped in God and trusted God for salvation from sin and power to keep from sinning--this victory of His it is that has brought to every man in the world divine faith by which every man can hope in God and trust in God and can find the power of God to deliver him from sin and to keep him from sinning. That faith which He exercised and by which He obtained the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil--that faith is His free gift to every lost man in the world. And thus "this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith;" and this is the faith of which He is the Author and Finisher.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5. The Scripture does not say, Let this flesh be upon you which was also upon Christ, but it does say, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5). Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." Rom. 12:2. The Lord Jesus took the same flesh and blood, the same human nature, that we have, flesh just like our sinful flesh, and because of sin, and by the power of the Spirit of God through the divine mind that was in Him, "condemned sin in the flesh." Rom. 8:3. And therein is our deliverance (Rom. 7:25); therein is our victory. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." "A new heart will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you." Do not be discouraged at sight of sinfulness in the flesh. It is only the light of the Spirit of God, and by the discernment of the mind of Christ, that you can see so much sinfulness in your flesh, and the more sinfulness you see in your flesh, the more of the Spirit of God you certainly have. This is a sure test. Then when you see sinfulness abundant in you, thank the Lord that you have so much of the Spirit of God that you can see so much of the sinfulness and know of a surety that when sinfulness abounds, grace much more abounds in order that "as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (RH Apr. 18, 1899. A T. Jones) True, Christ partook of the divine nature and so do you if you are a child of promise and not of the flesh, for by the promises ye are partakers of the divine nature. There was nothing given to Him in this world and He had nothing in this world that is not freely given to you or that you may not have. (Lessons of Faith, p. 55 A T. Jones) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John. 1:16). Abiding in the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, the flesh with its lusts has no more power over us than if we were actually dead and in our graves. It is then the Spirit of God alone that animates the body. The Spirit uses the flesh as an instrument of righteousness. The flesh is still corruptible, still full of lusts, still ready to rebel against the Spirit, but as long as we yield our wills to God, the Spirit holds the flesh in check. . Christ has "power over all flesh," and He has demonstrated His ability to live a spiritual life in human flesh. Glad Tidings p. 107 Jesus left his home in heaven, and came to this dark world to reach to the very depths of human woe, that He might save those who are ready to perish. He laid aside his glory in the heavenly courts above, clothed his divinity with humanity, and for our sakes He became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich. He came to the earth that was all seared and marred with sin; "and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." He submitted to insult and mockery, that He might leave us a perfect example. When we are inclined to magnify our trials, to think we

are having a hard time, we should look away from self to Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." All this He endured that He might bring many sons and daughters to God, to present them before the universe as trophies of his victory. {BEcho, January 1, 1893 par. 2} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39) I love to tell the story of Jesus and his love. If God is to be loved, he is to be loved supremely. He loved "the world," He loved "the church" (Eph. 5:25), He loved "me" (Gal. 2:20). "In order to save the sinner, the Creator sacrificed Himself. The Father suffered in His Son. The measure of God's love is Christ. The Saviour's sacrifice was not to create in God a love that had not before existed; it was but the expression of a love which had not been appreciated or understood." Jesus came in poverty and humiliation, that He might be our example as well as our Redeemer. Jesus Christ came in the flesh (1 John 4:2), in sinful flesh and while in the flesh he condemned sin in the flesh (Romans, 8:3). Jesus declares : I also overcame (Revelation 3:21), because when JESUS was a man, God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power (Acts 10:38). Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. (Matthew 4:1). Jesus was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth Matthew28:18). Power was given to him, the father gave him the power to overcome, Jesus depended fully on the Father for divine power to overcome. For JESUS said: I can of mine own self do nothing (John 5:30). Jesus waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him (Luke 2:40). Ah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came and stood where I stand in the flesh in which I live. He lived there. The perfect love of God was manifested there. the perfect purity of heart manifested there. A good conscience manifested there, and the unfeigned faith of the mind that was in Jesus Christ is there. {February 27, 1893 ATJ, GCDB 412.4} The soul that loves God, rises above the fog of doubt; he gains a bright, broad, deep, living experience, and becomes meek and Christlike. His soul is committed to God, hid with Christ in God. He will be able to stand the test of neglect, of abuse and contempt, because his Saviour has suffered all this. He will not become fretful and discouraged when difficulties press him,

because Jesus did not fail or become discouraged. Every true Christian will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works, but in the righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him. It is a great thing to be meek and lowly in heart, to be pure and undefiled, as was the Prince of heaven when He walked among men. {AG 109.6}

Even when the great controversy is over, the saints of God shall rejoice and the life of Christ will be studied throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity!

"And as the years of eternity roll, they will bring richer and more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption, and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed beat with a stronger devotion, and they sweep the harps of gold with a firmer hand; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. {August 13, 1891 ATJ, PTUK 267.5}

NOTES ON FINISHING THE MYSTERY OF GOD

Finishing the Mystery of God 1 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Col. 1:27,28. What is that mystery of God?"Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God, the gospel, the power of God unto salvationthat is the mystery of God; that is the science of salvation. That is the scientific truth, around which all other sciences center. That power of God unto salvation every man must have to hold him back from the evil that is in him. The evil that is born in every man will carry him to perdition, in spite of all science, all literature, all art, all religion, everything the world can furnish, or that it ever could furnish, unless he lays hold upon the power of God unto salvation, which comes to a man by faith of Jesus Christ. THREE ANGELS MESSAGE by A T. JONES 1897 p.46 And this is the mystery of God today and forever--God manifest in the flesh, in human flesh, in flesh, laden with sin, tempted and tried. In this flesh God will make manifest the knowledge of Himself in every place where the believer is found. Believe it and praise His holy name! This is the mystery which today in the third angel's message is again to be made known to all nations for the obedience of the faith. This is the mystery of God, which in this time is to be "finished,"--not only finished in the sense of being ended to the world, but finished in the sense of being brought to completion in its grand work in the believer. This is the time when the mystery of God is to be finished in the sense that God is to be manifest in the flesh in every true believer, in every place where that believer shall be found. This is, in deed and in truth, the keeping of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world," I have revealed God in the flesh. Our faith is the victory that has overcome the world. Therefore, and now, "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place." RH Sept. 29, 1896 *Paul asks that prayers be made+, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel. Eph. 6:19.

The union of the divine with the human is one of the most mysterious, as well as the most precious, truths of the plan of redemption. It is of this that Paul speaks when he says, "Without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh." 1 Tim. 3:16. While it is impossible for finite minds fully to grasp this great truth, or fathom its significance, we may learn from it lessons of vital importance to us in our struggles against temptation. Christ came to the world to bring divine power to humanity, to make man a partaker of the divine nature. 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. 1 Peter 1:4 ). True, Christ partook of the divine nature and so do you if you are a child of promise and not of the flesh, for by the promises ye are partakers of the divine nature. There was nothing given to Him in this world and He had nothing in this world that is not freely given to you or that you may not have. (Lessons of Faith, p. 55 A T. Jones) And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. (John. 1:16). Then let the Lord by his Spirit so draw us to himself; let the heart be so opened to that power, to the fellowship of that mystery, to the Spirit of God, that he may implant there Jesus Christ, his grace and his virtue. And as we hold our hearts open to him always, and to none but him, as a flower to the sun, we obtain in all its fulness, his righteousness, his power, his salvation, his mercy, his truth, his joy, his gladness, his peaceO, and his eternal life! THREE ANGELS MESSAGE by A T. JONES 1897 p. 47 "Great is the mystery of godliness; for God was manifestin the flesh." The Son of man received up into glory, that means ourselves. And in that he brought to us the infinite privilege of glorifying God. And "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son," and thus brought to us the privilege of glorifying God. THREE ANGELS MESSAGE p.[383]

There is another way God describes the mystery, which is as follows: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:31, 32). Which tie is the closer, that which binds a son to his father, or that which binds a man to his wife? We believe the latter. Originally God said, Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24. Paul, quoting this in Ephesians 5:32, applies it to Christ, saying, This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.Christ's love for His church has not made His love for the Father any less intense. Rather the opposite is true, if that were possible. Christ loves the

Father more, and the Father loves the Son more-we speak after the manner of men because of their common love for man. Yet it is true that Christ's love for His church impels Him to be with them. Christ, the Son of the Living God. The earth is given to the children of men, and as Christ has become one of us, He chooses to live with us and be one of us. Thus He will, in a certain sense, leave His Father and cleave to His wife, of which Paul speaks. Thus it comes to pass that Christ will be with us, take up His abode on the earth made new, and in a real sense become Immanuel, God with us. (Matthew 1:23.) THE FAITH OF JESUS by M L. Andreason Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27. Christ has bound Himself to humanity with bands that shall never be sundered. The earth has been given to the children of men, and Christ, having bound Himself to us, will come with His own when this earth is given to the saints of God. . THE FAITH OF JESUS p. 229 Should not we long to see Jesus, but Jesus longs to see us face to face. But in order for us to see him, the mystery of God is to be finish in our lives. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished,Rev.10:7. The finishing of the mystery of God is the completion of the great plan of salvation in connection with Christs ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. In the type the yearly round of service was finished on the tenth day of the seventh month. In the antitype Christ entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary at the end of the 2300 days, to finish the great plan of salvation. The mystery of God was to be finished, as He had declared by His servants, the prophets; and the cleansing of the sanctuary spoken of by Daniel, is only another expression signifying the same thing as the finishing of the mystery of God. Hence the seventh angel began to sound at the close of the 2300 days, in 1844, when the cleansing of the sanctuary, or the finishing of the mystery of God, commenced. White, James, Life, 211,212. The cleansing of the sanctuary and the finishing of the mystery of God are identical as to time and are also so closely related as to be practically identical in character and event. The finishing of the mystery of God is the ending of the work of the gospel. And the ending of the work of the gospel is, first, the taking away of all vestige of sin and the bringing in of everlasting righteousness--Christ fully formed--within each believer, God alone manifest in the flesh of each believer in Jesus, and, secondly, on the other hand, the work of the gospel

being finished means only the destruction of all who then shall not have received the gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-10), for it is not the way of the Lord to continue men in life when the only possible use they will make of life is to heap up more misery for themselves. THE CONSECRATED WAY p. 58,59, 60

NOTES ON RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH

Righteousness by faith or justification by faith is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself. When men see their own nothingness, they are prepared to be clothed with the righteousness of Christ. ,FLB 111.2} For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Galatians 6:3. But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags Isaiah 64:6. Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Psalms 39:5. Surely every man is vanity. Psalm 39:11. Put them in fear, O Lord: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Psalm 9:20. All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. Isaiah 40:17. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing Romans 7:18. and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.Philippians 3:3.

All man in and of himself was infinitely lost, and there was nothing man could do to save himself from sin. Yes it is true that all man sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), But, Thus saith the LORD: For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp [that] burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. (Isaiah 62:1-3)"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (Romans 16:20)

Laying the glory of man in the dust it is the glory of Christ that lays our glory in the dust. By such contrast suddenly all my righteousness is but filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6. The law has already pointed out my sins and brought me to Jesus for forgiveness, acceptance, deliverance and peace. While it is wonderful and appealing to come to Jesus, when we really see Him in His glory and righteousness, it is very humbling. The less we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our sinfulness drives us to Him who can pardon; and when the soul, realizing its helplessness, reaches out after Christ, He will reveal Himself in power. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the word of God, the more

exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image. Steps to Christ, p. 645. We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ. By beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect. Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 395 RIGHTEOUSNESS is holiness, likeness to God, and God is love. 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for all Thy commandments are righteousness, (Psalm 119:172), and love is the fulfilling of the law, (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and the life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessings, p. 18. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace(John 1:12,16). And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? {ROM. 9: 23-24). Receiving Christ in your life is the hope of glory. (Colossians. 1:27) While we still yet have life, love mercy. Jesus The King of Righteousness has set before us a open door in the most holy place in the heavenly sanctuary {Revelation.3:7-8}. The King of Righteousness says: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John.1:9}. Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev.14:12. The faith of Jesus, It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel's message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. Faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus . ,12MR 193.

"The enemy of man and God is not willing that this truth [justification by faith] should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his power will be broken. If he can control minds so that doubt and unbelief and darkness shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children of God, he can overcome them with temptation."Review and Herald, Sept. 3, 1889. The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin. We may leave off many bad habits, for the time we may part company with Satan; but without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and a continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end. DA, p. 324. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:4-5.). For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:3, 4 This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (1John 4:4). In order to meet the requirements of the law, our faith must grasp the righteousness of Christ, accepting it as our righteousness.Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 374. Genuine faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and thus divinity and humanity are combined. Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 3634. We need to have faith in the ability of Jesus! FAITH is the expecting the word of God itself to do what that word says, and depending upon that word itself to do what the word says. Since the word of God is in itself creative, and so is able to produce and cause to appear what otherwise would never exist nor be seen; and since faith is the expecting the word of God only to do just that thing, and depending upon "the word only" to do it, it is plan enough that faith is "the evidence of things not seen."

FOR EXAMPLE And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. (Matthew 8:7-8). For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this [man], Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth [it]. When Jesus heard [it], he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (Matthew 8:9-10) Just believe the word to do what it says, it will do! "The just shall live by faith." Rom. 1:17. Faith comes "by the word of God;" to the Word, then, we must look for it.

Where, then, in this is the faith?The centurion wanted a certain thing done. He wanted the Lord to do it. But when the Lord said, "I will come" and do it, the centurion checked him, saying, "Speak the word only," and it shall be done. Now, what did the centurion expect would do the work?"The word ONLY." Upon what did he depend for the healing of his servant?Upon "the word ONLY." And the Lord Jesus says that that is faith. Faith is "the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8); and that it is given to everybody is plainly stated in the Scriptures: "God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Rom. 12:3. This measure of faith which "God hath dealt to every man" is the capital with which God endows and starts "every man that cometh into the world;" and every man is expected to trade upon this capitalcultivate itto the salvation of his soul. True faith lays hold of and claims the promised blessing before it is realized and felt. We must send up our petitions in faith within the second veil and let our faith take hold of the promised blessing and claim it as ours. We are then to believe that we receive the blessing, because our faith has hold of it, and according to the Word it is ours. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24. Here is faith, naked faith, to believe that we receive the blessing, even before we realize it. When the promised blessing is realized and enjoyed, faith is swallowed up. But many suppose they have much faith when sharing largely of the Holy Spirit and that they cannot have faith unless they feel the power of the Spirit. Such confound faith with the blessing that comes through faith. The very time to exercise faith is when we feel destitute of the Spirit. When thick clouds of darkness seem to hover over the mind, then is the time to let living faith

pierce the darkness and scatter the clouds. True faith rests on the promises contained in the Word of God, and those only who obey that Word can claim its glorious promises. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7. Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22.

Degrees of Faith Heb. 11:6. Faith is an absolute necessity in the Christian life. Deut. 32:20; 2 Thess. 3:2. The wicked have no faith. Rom. 12:3. Degrees in Christian character are shown by the measure of faith possessed. Luke 12:28. Some have "little faith." Rom. 14:1. Others are "weak in faith. Matt. 15:28. The Syrophenician woman had "great faith." Acts 11:24. Barnabas was "full of faith." Luke 17:5. Pray for an increase of faith. Luke 22:31, 32. Pray that our faith fail not. Jas. 2:5. Be rich in faith. 2 Tim. 1:5. The faith must be "unfeigned." 2 Peter 1:1. Obtained precious faith. 2 Peter 1:5-8. Faith is the foundation upon which godly character is built. Eph. 6:16. Faith will shield us from evil.

Faith a Gift Heb. 12:2. Jesus is the "author and finisher of our faith." John 1:1, 14. Christ is the living Word.

 Rom. 10:17. Since Christ, the living Word, is the author of our faith, we receive faith for reading the Word. Eph. 2:8. It is a gift from God, which we receive through the channel of His word. Jas. 2:18. Faith is shown by our works. Jas. 2:17. Without work faith dies. Jas. 2:22. Faith made perfect by works. Rom. 5:1. Justified by faith. Rom. 4:5. Faith counted for righteousness. Gal. 2:16. Faith, not works, justifies. Jas. 2:24-26. Faith without works will save no one. Gal. 5:6. Faith works by love. Eph. 3:17. Faith makes Christ's presence a reality. Gal. 2:20. The Christian life is a life of faith.

Faith That Works Heb. 11:1, margin. "Faith is the ground, or confidence, of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Mark 11:24. Faith brings answers to prayers. Luke 8:43-48. Faith restores diseased organs. Luke 17:11-19. Faith can restore the body as well as the soul. Jas. 5:13-16. The prayer of faith will save the sick. Mark 10:46-52. Faith will restore physical sight. Matt. 9:27-30. We receive both physical and spiritual strength according to our faith. Luke 5:18-26. There is a close relationship between the healing of the body and cleansing from sin.

 Matt. 6:30-34. The Christian who fails to have faith about temporal things, loses much of the sweetness of trusting in God. Matt. 8:23-27. "Little faith" fears the elements. Jas. 5:16-18. Faith can control the elements. 1 Cor. 13:1-3. A faith that can even control the elements of nature is of no value, unless it serves as a foundation of a Christian character worked out in daily acts of love. 1 Cor. 13:4-11. A living faith will enable a man to control his temper. Jas. 1:26. A living faith will control the tongue.

Door of Faith Acts 14:27. There is a "door of faith." Gal. 6:10. When we enter this door, we become members of the "household of faith." 1 Cor. 16:13. We are to "stand fast in the faith." 2 Cor. 5:7. "We walk by faith." P.K. 175. 1 Thess. 1:3. The Christian will do the "work of faith." 1 Tim. 5:8. Some will deny the faith. 1 Tim. 6:10. Love of money will cause some to err from the faith. 1 Tim. 6:20, 21. Worldly science will cause some to err concerning the faith. 2 Tim. 3:8. Those of corrupt minds are reprobates concerning the faith. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 2:17, 18. Spiritualism and false doctrine will cause some to depart from the faith. 1 Tim. 1:19, 20. To give up faith means shipwreck of life. 2 Cor. 13:5. We are to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. 1 Tim. 3:13. A righteous life will have boldness in faith. 1 Tim. 6:11, 12. We are to "fight the good fight to faith."

 Jude 3. Earnestly contend for the faith. Jude 20. Build ourselves up in the faith. 1 John 5:4. Faith will overcome the world. There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church. . . . Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).--1SM 124 (1887). {LDE 192.4} The precepts and promises of God's word will arm you with divine power to resist the enemy. . . . Satan will be baffled and defeated when he finds the heart preoccupied with the truth of God. We need also to be often found at the throne of grace. Earnest, persevering prayer, uniting our human weakness to Omnipotence, will give us the victory. {OHC 14.5} This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews. 10: 16-17) While Christ is cleansing the sanctuary, the worshipers on earth should carefully review their life, and compare their character with the standard of righteousness. As they see their defects, they should seek the aid of the Spirit of God to enable them to have moral strength to resist the temptation of Satan, and to reach the perfection of the standard. They may be victors over the very temptations which seemed too strong for humanity to bear; for the divine power will be combined with their human effort, and Satan cannot overcome them. Review and Herald, April 8, 1890 AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

NOTES ON VICTORY OVER SIN

Victory over sin 1 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John. 5:4-5). Those who accept the promises of God, and act on them with living faith, will have the light of heaven in their lives. They will drink of the fountain of life, and lead others to the waters that have refreshed their own souls. We must have that faith in God that takes him at his word. We can have no victory without cloudless confidence; for "without faith it is impossible to please him." It is faith that connects us with the power of heaven, and that brings us the strength for coping with the powers of darkness. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." In order to exercise intelligent faith, we should study the Word of God. The Bible, and the Bible alone, communicates a correct knowledge of the character of God, and of his will concerning us. The duty and the destiny of man are defined in its pages. {RH, September 22, 1910 par. 2} Victory is obtained as a man comes into the presence of Christ, and realizing himself an ungodly sinner, cries out in his great need, and casts his soul upon the mercy of his compassionate Redeemer . The love of Jesus begets in his heart love for Jesus, and he falls at the foot of the cross in heartbroken repentance. "The love of God is fully able to restore, rebuild, encourage, and strengthen every believing soul who will accept the truth as it is in Jesus ." TM 378. Christ is our present, all-sufficient Saviour. In him all fulness dwells. It is the privilege of Christians to know that Christ is in them of a truth. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." All things are possible to him that believeth; and whatsoever things we desire when we pray, if we believe that we receive them, we shall have them. This faith will penetrate the darkest cloud, and bring hope to the drooping, desponding soul. It is the absence of this faith and trust which brings perplexity, distressing fears, and surmisings of evil. God will do great things for his people when they will put their entire trust in him. Christ will prove a never-failing source of strength, a present help in every time of trouble. {ST, September 2, 1897 par. 14} What, then, must we do to overcome? And why is it that we are so often overcome? The obvious answer is that we cannot overcome outside of Christ. What we have to do is to take the victory that has been already won, the victory that has been gained by Him. He overcame

for us, that He might bestow His triumph upon us. And we take the victory by faith, for it is by faith that Christ comes into our hearts. {October 26, 1893 EJW, PTUK 465.11} This is what is meant by the apostle John, when he says, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John v. 4. By faith we bring Christ into our hearts and lives. Eph. iii. 17. And Christ being there, He is there as the Conqueror of all that is to be met and overcome in the Christian warfare. {October 26, 1893 EJW, PTUK 465.12} The glorious truth is thus made manifest, that the victory over every temptation and difficulty is already ours, in Christ. We need not, therefore, come up to the conflict with a faint heart, but with all confidence, knowing that defeat cannot possibly be the outcome, no matter how formidable the foe may make himself appear. The battle is already fought, and Jesus Christ holds out to us the victory. We have simply to take it, and say, "Thanks be unto God, which giveth us the victory throughout our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. xv. 57. {October 26, 1893 EJW, PTUK 465.13} But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth 2Thes. 2:13 God calls upon us to reach the standard of perfection and places before us the example of Christ's character. In His humanity, perfected by a life of constant resistance of evil, the Saviour showed that through co-operation with Divinity, human beings may in this life attain to perfection of character. This is God's assurance to us that we, too, may obtain complete victory. (Acts of the Apostle pg. 531) O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Psalm 98:13)

Thine, O LORD, [is] the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all [that is] in the heaven and in the earth [is thine]; thine [is] the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour [come] of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand [is] power and might; and in thine hand [it is] to make great, and to give strength unto all. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12) All who consecrate soul, body, and spirit to God will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical and mental power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their

command. Christ gives them the breath of His own spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in heart and mind. The grace of God enlarges and multiplies their faculties, and every perfection of the divine nature comes to their assistance in the work of saving souls. Through co-operation with Christ they are complete in Him, and in their human weakness they are enabled to do the deeds of Omnipotence. {DA 827.3} Let us double our diligence to make our calling and election sure. Victory, victory, will be ours if we endure a little longer. I do beg and pray to be more like Jesus that I may reflect His lovely image. More and more I long to be filled with all the fullness of God. It is our privilege to rejoice in a whole Saviour, One that saves us from all sin. We will not rest unless we know the length and breadth, height and depth of perfect love. I expect you are buffeted by the enemy. Do not yield one inch to him. Let faith be in lively exercise. Let it enter within the second veil and take hold upon the most excellent glory.--Letter 30, 1850, p. 2. {8MR 223.1} We can do this only as we grasp by faith the righteousness of Christ. By beholding Jesus we receive a living, expanding principle in the heart, and the Holy Spirit carries on the work, and the believer advances from grace to grace, from strength to strength, from character to character. He conforms to the image of Christ, until in spiritual growth he attains unto the measure of the full stature in Christ Jesus. Thus Christ makes an end of the curse of sin, and sets the believing soul free from its action and effect. Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 395

JESUS (The BRIGHT and MORNING STAR) came into this (dark pit of moral darkness) dark world of sin, and amid the darkness, he shined in RIGHTEOUSNESS, PURITY and HOLINESS! And JESUS, the redeemer of man said: now shall the prince (devil) of this world be cast out (John 12:31), And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night (Revelation 12:10).

Jesus redeemed humanity in the flesh, because Jesus condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3). Not even by a thought could Christ be brought to yield to the power of temptation. Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foot-hold; some sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But Christ declared of himself, "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me." The storms of temptation burst upon him, but they could not cause him to swerve from his allegiance to God. {RH, November 8, 1887 par. 8}

All the followers of Christ have to meet the same malignant foe that assailed their Master. With marvelous skill he adapts his temptations to their circumstances, their temperament, their mental and moral bias, their strong passions. He is ever whispering in the ears of the children of men, as he points to worldly pleasures, gains, or honors, "All this will I give you, if you will do my bidding." We must look to Christ; we must resist as he resisted; we must pray as he prayed; we must agonize, as he agonized, if we would conquer as he conquered. {RH, November 8, 1887 par. 9} Victory over sin is an experience that entails a science that miraculously transform the sinner into a saint, from defeat to victory, from servants of sin to servants of righteousness, and from the kingdom of darkness into God's marvelous light of grace (1Peter 2:9). That all man sin (Romans 3:23), and the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD (Romans 6:23), because Jesus is the LAMB of GOD who taketh away the sin of the world (JOHN 1:29)!

The sinner in and of Himself was born in sin and shape in iniquity (Psalm 51:5), and by nature our hearts are desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:10). The mortal man cry: who is able to deliver me from this body of death? (Romans 7:24), I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:25). "In JESUS", that is where we find deliverance! Praise be to God! Therein is our deliverance, Christ condemn sin in the flesh (Romans 8:3). In Christ is the power of God unto salvation! And this same Jesus is in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 8:1-2), making intercession for us and he is able to save us to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

That when we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9) When he cleanse us we recieve the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 2:38), and now we live victoriously, not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). Now we are being change into the image of CHRIST by the Spirit of GOD (2 Corinthians 3:18) Being baptize or born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5), we are now sealed as God's children through the holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13). Since God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), when we receive the Holy Spirit, his Spirit burns sin out of our characters into the image of Christ! When we walk in the Spirit of God we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)! Every day we need the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD! It is written: ask and ye shall receive, believe it and praise his holy name! HE the HOLY SPIRIT will abide with you forever (John 14:16) Let us surrender our lives to Jesus every day, because without him we can do nothing (John 15:5) Every day we need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, Say like David: create in me a clean heart and anew a right spirit within me (Psalm

51:10) For the Father is willing to give us good gifts, than parents are to their children (Matthew 7:11) We may attain unto glory and virtue, though weak, sinful mortals, by learning daily lessons in the school of Christ, by becoming conformed to the divine image, by manifesting His excellency of character, by adding grace to grace, by climbing round by round the ladder heavenward, by becoming complete in the Beloved.--Letter 43, 1895, pp. 6,8,9.

Choose, O choose ye this day, that you will receive the Holy Spirit! "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us." "Grieve not the Holy Spirit." "Receive ye the Holy Spirit." {November 16, 1897 ATJ, ARSH 728.14} "WALK in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh." "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to talk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." {October 18, 1898 ATJ, ARSH 668.1} We must behold Jesus, in him is where our victory become reality! We can by the grace of God attain to the perfection of Christ character! Let us contemplate Christ more! Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). I repeat the words of John--"Behold the Lamb of God"--that you may all contemplate Jesus. This, the cross of Calvary, is doctrine, it is the all-powerful argument. This is our message to the impenitent, our warning to the backslider--Behold Jesus. Here is a character that is entirely worthy of the most devoted contemplation. Here is the very perfection of morals. Knowledge of this character is the truest moral science. And the diligent, earnest, prayerful study of this blessed transformation of the soul, through the faith of Jesus Christ and the power of the Spirit of God, from evil to good, from wickedness to righteousness, from sin to holiness, from the human character to the divine character, from immorality to morality,the study of this is the study of the true science of morals, and is the only true moral science. {November 8, 1898 ATJ, ARSH 715.11}

BEHOLD THE LOVE OF JESUS At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men, and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety. DA 86 He worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw. DA 87 He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there, as He saw men weary, yet compelled to bear heavy burdens. DA 90 His life was marked with respect and love for His mother. DA 90 The healing power of love went out from Him to the sick and distressed. DA 92 He manifested an interest in men's secular affairs. DA 151 He spoke with solemn dignity, and both look and tone expressed such earnest love, that sinners were not offended as they realized their humiliating position. DA 173 His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. DA 254 His character expressed love in look and tone, and a sweet sympathetic spirit. DA 254 When He saw men refuse the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depths. DA 255 His heart, that loved and pitied, was a heart of unchanging tenderness. DA 319 His heart overflowed with love for the whole humanrace, but He never became indulgent about sin . DA 356 His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He never became indulgent about sin. DA 356 He Who taught the people the way to secure peace and happiness was just as thoughtful of their temporal necessities as of their spiritual need. DA 365 His love was not circumscribed to race or nation. DA 402 He sought not to condemn, but to save. He spoke words of comfort and hope. DA 462 He was a lover of children. His gentle and kindly manner won their love and confidence. DA 511 His tender, pitying heart was ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. DA 533

His enemies read in His calm, solemn face, love, benevolence and quiet dignity. DA 581 During every hour of His life upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams. DA 678 His every feature expressed gentleness, and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. DA 735 "The prince of this world cometh," said Jesus, "and hath nothing in Me." There was in Him nothing that responded to Satan's sophistry. He did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So may it be with us. Christ's humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. {ST, August 23, 1905 par. 6} What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (ROM. 6: 1-14) There is power in Christ. What is that power? Notice. Grace is favor! In the favor of God there is life. Then what is the power of the grace of Christ? It is the power of an endless life. If men really believe that Christ is risen from the dead, they can believe that they are dead unto sin, but alive unto God and free from sin. Does the apostle mean free from sin? It is a solemn, but a glorious thought. How thankful ought men to be that they can have that confidence in the power of God through Christ that they can without any mental reservation take this chapter and believe it. Yes, believe these very words, "He that is dead is freed from sin . . . reckon ye yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ." {March 18, 1891 EJW, GCDB 159.1} To this one God has declared, "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Thank the Lord for this blessed promise of freedom from sin and all the power of sin. And this promise he will make

a fact in the life and experience of every one who reckons thus and yields to God. You furnish the reckoning, He will furnish the fact. You yield to Him, and He will use you. You yield to Him your members, and He will use them only as instruments of righteousness. And so, "sin shall not have dominion over you," for God is stronger than sin. A. T. JONES. {January 26, 1893 ATJ, PTUK 23.10} We live in obedience to God by the Spirit! And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]. Ezekiel 36:27

NOTES ON STATE OF THE DEAD AND SPIRITISM

SATANS TWO GREAT DECEPTIONS And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (Genesis 3:4-5) Throughout history, spiritualism has emphasized two sinister concepts: (1) You can talk to the dead and (2) you are god. Satan has long been preparing for his final effort to deceive the world. The foundation of his work was laid by the assurance given to Eve in Eden: Ye shall not surely die. In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4, 5. Little by little he has prepared the way for his masterpiece of deception in the development of spiritualism. He has not yet reached the full accomplishment of his designs; but it will be reached in the last remnant of time. Except those who are kept by the power of God, through faith in His Word, the whole world will be swept into the ranks of this delusion. The people are fast being lulled to a fatal security, to be awakened only by the outpouring of the wrath of God.Great Controversy, 561-562. Satan is working with added enthusiasm in these last days, because he knows that his time is short and that one of his best tools for bringing the world under his deceptive control is spiritualism, based on his great lie that there is in man an immortal spirit that continues on after death and that it is possible for the living to receive vital light and benefit by communicating with the spirits of dead loved ones. These cherished dead can be convincingly impersonated in form, feature, sound of voice, and factual information unknown except by the living participant(s) and the dead communicant, as well as by Satan and his fallen angels, who are constantly seeking to cause the multitudes of earth to follow a demonic agenda in direct opposition to Christs great gospel commission to prepare the world for His coming and the final end of Satan and his kingdom. Therefore, Satan, in his efforts to deceive the very elect in these last days, will use his demons to impersonate our departed loved ones in the form of familiar spirits : boyfriends and girlfriends, grandfathers and grandmothers, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. So why not a masterpiece of deceptiona demon impersonating the mother of

Jesus Christ!!! Not only that, but , Satans impersonation of the Son of God, because he has the ability to transform (2 Corinthians 11:14). Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? (The Great Controversy, pp. 624, 625). The Scriptures declare that the dead "know not anything;" that "his sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them." 11 "Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." 12 And again: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun." 13 {October 24, 1895 ATJ, AMS 331.5} Saint worship, or prayers to the saints, is therefore diametrically opposed to the teaching of the Word of God, and as Roman Catholic miracles foster superstition and idolatry and destroy faith in the Scriptures, they can be regarded only as part and parcel of the working of Satan by which he hopes to deceive the whole world to its destruction. {October 24, 1895 ATJ, AMS 331.6} Satan has chosen a most certain, fascinating delusion, one that is calculated to take hold of the sympathies of those who have laid their loved ones in the grave. Evil angels assume the form of these loved ones and relate incidents connected with their lives and perform acts which their friends performed while living. In this way they deceive and lead the relatives of the dead to believe that their deceased friends are angels hovering about them and communing with them. These they regard with a certain idolatry, and what they may say has greater influence over them than the word of God. These evil angels, who assume to be dead friends, will either utterly reject God's word as idle tales, or, if it suit their purpose best, will select the vital portions which testify of Christ and point out the way to heaven, and change the plain statements of the word of God to suit their own corrupt nature and ruin souls. With due attention to the word of God, all may be convinced if they will of this soul-destroying delusion. The word of God declares in positive terms that "the dead know not anything." Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6: "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love,

and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun." {1T 298.1} Deceived mortals are worshiping evil angels, believing them to be the spirits of their dead friends. The word of God expressly declares that the dead have no more a portion in anything done under the sun. Spiritualists say that the dead know everything that is done under the sun, that they communicate to their friends on earth, give valuable information, and perform wonders. Psalm 115:17: "The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion (Eccl. 9: 4-6). Death is a deep sleep until Jesus comes to resurrect us. John 11:11-14. These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. (John 11:41-44 Then they took away the stone [from the place] where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up [his] eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said [it], that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go). 1 Thess. 4:13-18. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Cor. 15:52-55 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

What happens unto the unrighteous at resurrection? For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. {John. 5: 26-29}. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation. 21:8). And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation. 20:10-15). And on "whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, the righteousness spurned, the mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction. All that God ordained unto life they found to be unto death. In the Jews' crucifixion of Christ was involved the destruction of Jerusalem. The blood shed upon Calvary was the weight that sank them to ruin for this world and for the world to come. So it will be in the great final day, when judgment shall fall upon the rejecters of God's grace. Christ, their rock of offense, will then appear to them as an avenging mountain. The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed. {DA 600.2}

NOTES ON SATANS DECEPTIONS

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matt 24:24) But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer (2 Peter 4:7). Watch the stealthy approach of the enemy, watch against old habits and natural inclinations lest they exert themselves; force them back, and watch; force them back if need be a hundred times. Watch the thoughts, watch the plans, lest they become selfish and self-centered. Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. Watch over the souls whom Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good. {TMK 351.3} The Lord has a care for his sheep, and he will not permit them to be deceived and destroyed. We must all make a determined effort to save the souls of those who have been deceived. For it is written: And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9). Deceit [is] in the heart of them that imagine evil (Proverbs 12:20), and Satan only have evil intentions towards the children of men. This is Satans goal: to deceive the whole world! Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2Timothy 3:13, 16-17). The scriptures, the word of God, the HOLY BIBLE is our only safe guard against the deceptions of Satan. The scriptures will make you wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). How do Satan get to deceive the whole world? Men are deceived by the sorceries of Satan: . by thy sorceries were all nations deceived (Revelation18:23). In other words Satan uses anything and everything that would hold his prisoners spell bound in sin for their utter destruction! What is the sorceries of Satan? Well in greek, sorceries in the bible is translated pharmeakeia or pharmacy, on other words, Satan wants to medicate our minds, not to follow Gods will. Through the sorceries of music, television, drugs, sex, alcohol, false doctrines, false education, love of money, witchcraft, and etc. Whatsoever way he can deceive, he will. And through many agencies, Satan is now at work to blind the minds of people that they believe not the truth. For it is written: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not (2 Cor. 4:4). So through different mediums, Satan is at work to cause the children of men to perform acts of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and

such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21). The Bible declares that before the coming of the Lor d there will exist a state of religious declension similar to that in the first centuries. In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness , but denying the power thereof. 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. 1 Timothy 4:1. Satan will work with all power and signs and lying wonders, and wit h all deceivableness of unrighteousness. And all that received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, will be left to accept strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. 2 Thess alonians 2:9-11. No stronger delusion can deceive the human mind than that which makes them believe that they are right, and that God accept their works, when they are sinning against Him. 1 Testimonies, 407. Many will stand ON OUR PULPITS, with the torch of false prophecy in their hands, kindled by the hellish torch of Satan. -- Testimonies to Ministers, p. 409. The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday. {RH, March 18, 1884 par. 8} Thus saith the LORD; Cursed [be] the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, [in] a salt land and not inhabited. Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and [that] spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.(Jeremiah 17:5-8)

So while all these things are happening, we need to put our whole trust in God, and not in man! The Nations will be angry at Gods People. Ye shall be hated of all nations for my names sake. Matt. 24: 9. The dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed. Rev. 12:17. In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. Great Controversy pg. 589 And then the great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. The class that have provoked the displeasure of Heaven will charge all their troubles upon those whose obedience to God's commandments is a perpetual reproof to transgressors. It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced; and that those who present the claims of the fourth commandment, thus destroying reverence for Sunday, are troublers of the people, preventing their restoration to divine favor and temporal prosperity. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. Great Controversy pg. 590 Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, they will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a "Thus saith the Scriptures" to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for a Sunday law. . . . On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. 5 Testimony to the Church 450-451 Persons of influence are stirred with a power from beneath; the energies of apostasy are united to deceive or to destroy the champions of truth. Signs of the Time April 22, 1889 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5. 10). Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake (Matthew 24:9). God has given men the Sabbath as a sign between Him and them as a test of their loyalty. Those who, after the light regarding God's law comes to them, continue to disobey and exalt human laws above the law

of God in the great crisis before us, will receive the mark of the beast.--Ev 235 (1900). {LDE 225.1} Human enactments, laws manufactured by satanic agencies under a plea of goodness and restriction of evil, will be exalted, while God's holy commandments are despised and trampled underfoot. And all who prove their loyalty by obedience to the law of Jehovah must be prepared to be arrested, to be brought before councils that have not for their standard the high and holy law of God (RH Dec. 26, 1899). {7BC 977.5} Satanic agencies have been moved from beneath, and they have inspired men to unite in a confederacy of evil, that they may perplex, harass, and cause of the people of God great distress. The whole world is to be stirred with enmity against Seventh-day Adventists, because they will not yield homage to the papacy, by honoring Sunday, the institution of this antichristian power. It is the purpose of Satan to cause them to be blotted from the earth, in order that his supremacy of the world may not be disputed. {TM 36.2} For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:21-22). When Christ ceases His intercession in the sanctuary, the unmingled wrath threatened against hose who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark (Revelation 14:9,10), will be poured out(Great Controversy, 627). It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: "It is done." Revelation 16:17. {GC 636.2} ((My attention was again directed to the earth. The wicked had been destroyed, and their dead bodies were lying upon its surface. The wrath of God in the seven last plagues had been visited upon the inhabitants of the earth, causing them to gnaw their tongues from pain and to curse God. The false shepherds had been the signal objects of Jehovahs wrath. Their eyes had consumed away in their holes, and their tongues in their mouths, while they stood upon their feet. After the saints had been delivered by the voice of God, the wicked multitude turned their rage upon one another. The earth seemed to be deluged with blood, and dead bodies were from one end of it to the other. Early Writings, 289))

Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation14:12). Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (Revelation:22:14)

NOTES ON DANIEL 11:40-45

The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the ELEVENTH chapter of DANIEL has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. {9T 14.2}

DAN. 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and passover.

And at the time of the end (v.40) What is the time of the end? It can not be the actual end of the world, for then this part of Daniel's prophecy would be of no use to mortals; it must therefore refer to a period just before the end. But "things which are revealed belong unto us," says the prophet. To ascertain what is meant by the expression "time of the end," we will notice where the same terms are used in another prophetic scene. In the eleventh chapter of Daniel, a persecuting power is introduced which was to hold its dominion until the time of the end. The Lord says of the work of this persecutor, "And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it [the time of the end] is yet for a time appointed." Protestant commentators are generally agreed in applying the prophecy of this persecuting power to the papal church, which had the civil power in its hands for the appointed time - "time, times, and an half," the 1260 years from A. D. 538 to 1798. Its civil power was taken away at the end of the "time appointed" - 1798. So, at that time, the people had ceased to "fall" by the hand of that persecuting power, as they had previously been falling. This marks 1798 as the time called in prophecy the time of the end. {1904 JNL, LDT 44.2}

The prophecies present a succession of events leading down to the opening of the judgment. This is especially true of the book of Daniel. But that part of his prophecy which related to the last days, Daniel was bidden to close up and seal "to the time of the end." The "man of sin," which is also styled "the mystery of iniquity," "the son of perdition," and "that wicked," represents the papacy, which, as foretold in prophecy, was to maintain its supremacy for

1260 years. This period ended in 1798.(GC p.356)

Therefore, the time of the end begins in 1798 (when the papacy received the deadly wound Revelation 13:3) and extends until Jesus comes at the end of time (Second Coming). At the time of the end, knowledge increases dramatically. This includes both Bible knowledge (understanding prophecies, especially of Daniel) and scientific, technological knowledge.Scripture verses dealing with time of the end: (Dan. 8: 17), (Dan. 11:35, 40), (Dan. 12:4, 9),

(Daniel 11:40) The king of the south push at him: Represents literal Egypt in the OT and spiritual Egypt in the NT.

OLD TESTAMENT (Literal Egypt) Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish. For the Egyptians shall help in vain Isaiah 30:1-7.

NEW TESTAMENT(Spiritual Egypt) The following verse in the prophecy of Revelation 11 tells us Egypt can be used as a spiritual symbol of something other than the literal nation: the great city, which spi ritually is called Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8). Lets remember our principle stated above regarding literal versus spiritual. With this in mind, the King of the South makes sense. In the end time setting of Daniel 11:40-45, Egypt represents atheism. One of the primary characteristics of Egypt is found in Exodus 5:2, where Pharaoh, despite evidence for the existence of God, tells Moses, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Pharaoh defies God and even questions His existence, Who is the Lord? he asks.

Thus we can say that spiritual Egypt matches the spirit of the atheistic, communistic philosophy. This is also shown in Revelation 11:8 which mention Egypt by name. This prophecy (Revelation 11), when studied out, finds its fulfillment in France at the time of the French Revolution (1793-1798). Modern state atheism/communism emerged during the French Revolution. The papacy received the deadly wound by French Napoleon in 1798, thus ending the 1260 years of papal domination prophesied in Daniel and Revelation.

(time and times and the dividing of time = Daniel 7:25.) (A time, times, and an half=Daniel 12:7.) (A time, and times, and half a time = Revelation 12:14.) (forty and two months = Revelation 11:2.) (forty and two months = Revelation 13:5.) (thousand two hundred and threescore days (1260) Revelation 11:3.) (thousand two hundred and threescore days (1260) Revelation 12:6) 42 months x 30 days = 1260 (Jewish month = 30 days; Genesis 7:11, 24; 8:3-4). A time = 1 year; times = 2 years; dividing of time or half = year; giving a total of 3 years 42 months = 3 years = 1260 days 538 to 1798 = 1260 years of Papal reign. (In apocalyptic Bible prophecy: 1 day = 1 year.) See Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6.

(King of the South) Here is brought to view a new manifestation of satanic power. According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God's two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom. {GC 269.3}

This prophecy has received a most exact and striking fulfillment in the history of France, during the French Revolution. The periods here mentioned--"forty and two months," and "a thousand two hundred and threescore days"--are the same, alike representing the time in which the church of Christ was to suffer oppression from Rome. The 1260 years of papal supremacy began in A.D. 538, and would therefore terminate in 1798. (See Appendix note for page 54.) At that time a French army entered Rome and made the pope a prisoner, and he died in exile. Though a new pope was soon afterward elected, the papal hierarchy has never since been able to wield the power which it before possessed. {GC 266.3}

Results of the French Revolution Rise of state atheism Rise of Communism/Marxism Ideas of communal living, common ownership of goods, etc., predate the French Revolution, but the Revolution brought it into the realm of politics and based it on atheism. The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels (1848) Russian Revolution and Soviet Communist Empire (1917-1989) China falls under communism in 1949 Rise of theory of evolution Charles Darwin (1809-1882) On the Origin of Species, Darwin (1859) Rise of secularism and humanism Impetus to the higher criticism methods of Bible scholarship The Cold War

The Cold War featured periods of relative calm and of international high tension the Berlin Blockade (19481949), the Korean War (19501953), the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the Vietnam War (19591975), the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), the Soviet war in Afghanistan (19791989), and the Able Archer 83 NATO exercises in November 1983.

King of the North

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Dan. 11:36

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. Dan. 8:23-25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Dan. 7:25,21-22. (This is the Papacy.)

(The King of the North) shall come against him like a WHIRLWIND (v. 40)

This represents destruction.

When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. . . . (Proverbs 1:27). Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked (Jeremiah 23:19). Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth (Jeremiah 25:32).

(with CHARIOTS and HORSEMEN.) (v. 40) Chariots and horsemen represent an army. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon (Exodus 14:9). And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them (Exodus 14:26, 28).

and with many SHIPS (v. 40) Economy, trade, merchandise, merchants, richesin other words, monetary matters are here named. They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters. . . . (Psalms 107:23). Revelation complements Daniel. Revelation 18:17 shows us how ships are to be understood in the symbolic sense.

For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off. . . . (Revelation 18:17).

(Into the COUNTRIES) (v. 40, 41, 42) It will gain the victory over the power block of atheism (international atheistic Communism) in all the countries.

and shall OVERFLOW AND PASS OVER. (v. 40) A complete conquest, militarily, or possibly culturally or spiritually; overpowering and overtaking ones enemy. shall assemble a multitude of great forces: and one shall certainly come, and overflow, and pass through (Daniel 11:10). and his army shall overflow: and many shall fall down slain (Daniel 11:26). A combination of military and economic strength shall be used to totally sweep away the king of the south or communism. This was done with the uniting of Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II to bring in a five part plan to bring down communism and the collapse of the Soviet economy.

Interpretation of Daniel 11:40 In 1798, atheism shall push at the Papacy and deliver what seems like a deadly wound (French Revolution, culminating in taking the Pope prisoner). The Papacy will recover its deadly wound (Rev. 13:3), and come back against atheism with a vengeance, using military and economic might. It will gain the victory over the power block of atheism (international atheistic Communism).

This happened in the time of the 1980s, culminating in the collapse of the Soviet Empire in 1989-1992. Leading up to this time, Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan joined together in a holy alliance to bring down Communism in Poland. This rapidly rippled out

to other countries in a domino effect that brought international atheism/Communism to its knees.

He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. Daniel. 11:41

Glorious Land (v. 16, 41) Before the time of the cross, glorious land refers to the literal Israel (Palestine) or Gods people, His church (And Moses and the priests the Levites spake unto all Israel, saying, Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the LORD thy GodDeut. 27:9).

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp [that] burneth.And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation. Zechariah 2:10-13 Jer.3:19;

I bring near my righteousness: it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. Is. 46:13

After the time of the cross, glorious land refers to spiritual Israel or Gods church; His people. See Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:29; 1 Peter 2:9 with Matthew 21:43.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. Eph. 25-27.

In Daniel 11:41, glorious land refers to Gods people, His church. It is the church militant, meaning there are still tares and wheat growing together. It has not yet been purified. Contrast this to the glorious holy mountain in verse 45 (see below). Why the term glorious? Gods people show forth His glory, His character. See Exodus 33:8, 9 and Exodus 34:6, 7. We are commissioned to Declare his glory *character+ among the heathen, his wonders among all people (Psalms 96:3). Let your light so shine bef ore men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

many countries shall be overthrown: Strong's H7227 - rab - countries means= much, many, great (suffer physically from a Papal Rome attack) KJV many countries shall be overthrown (countries is a supplied word) (Jer. Bible: many will fall) (NEB: tens of thousands shall fall victim) (Moffatt: he shall also invade the fair land of Palestine and) (myriads shall be killed)

(Dutch N. Tr. many shall fall) German (Luther) many will fall or suffer (die) (French, Louis Segond same as Luther, and using the same word as in vs.33 where our KJV reads they shall fall by the sword, by flame, by captivity.)

The organization of the order of Jesuits, in reality a papacy of the papacy, sent into the world a body of active workers, shrewd, well educated, and armed with a double-faced conscience, which enabled them to penetrate anywhere and assume any role. One of their most efficient methods of procedure was in the schools. They founded new schools in the very shadow of the Protestant institutions, and drew from their patronage; or when this was impossible, they entered Protestant schools under the guise of Protestant teachers. Everywhere they gained the children and the youth. {1905 SNH, SSP 198.2}

There will be, even among us, hirelings and wolves in sheep's clothing who will persuade [some of] the flock of God to sacrifice unto other gods before the Lord. . . . Youth who are not established, rooted and grounded in the truth, will be corrupted and drawn away by the blind leaders of the blind; and the ungodly, the despisers that wonder and perish, who despise the sovereignty of the Ancient of Days, and place on the throne a false god, a being of their own defining, a being altogether such an one as themselves--these agents will be in Satan's hands to corrupt the faith of the unwary. {3SM 398.1}

The Lord has a controversy with his professed people in these last days. In this controversy men in responsible positions will take a course directly opposite to that pursued by Nehemiah. They will not only ignore and despise the Sabbath themselves, but they will try to keep it from others by burying it beneath the rubbish of custom and tradition. In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers will urge upon the people the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land: and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday. {RH, March 18, 1884 par. 8}

but these shall escape out of his hand, , even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon: Edom, Moab, and Ammon, however, escaped the hand of this conquering persecuting Papal power. They (the Israelites) shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them. Isa. 11:14 Edom, Moab and the children of Ammon - These are the age old enemies of Israel. Thus as the final crisis develops many will see the light of truth, even in places where it seems people are hardened in sin, wickedness, and Catholicism, and they will escape from the Papal doctrines and will join with Gods faithful people. (Psalms 137:8, Isaiah 11:11-16)

Edom, Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon are those who OBEY; the remnant of his (Gods) people-those who have heeded Gods gathering message. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, [that] in the place where it was said unto them, Ye [are] not my people, [there] it shall be said unto them, [Ye are] the sons of the living God. Hosea. 1:10

Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power--all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. Those who are arraigned before the courts make a strong vindication of the truth, and some who hear them are led to take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. Thus light will be brought before thousands who otherwise would know nothing of these truths. (GC. p. 606-607)

He (the King of the North) shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt (atheism, communism) shall not escape. (Dan.11: 42)

Shall stretch forth his hand upon the countries - That is the countries of the world. Egypt shall not escape - Egypt is both a reference to Atheism, and also to symbolize the secular world. Thus this reference is to state that after a Sunday law is enforced all the

religions of the world will unite to accept it. Even secular countries, or non-Christian countries will come under the Papal decree enforced through her alliance with the United States of America.

But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.(Dan.11: 43)

Power over silver and gold and precious things of Egypt - This is referring to economic power. The Papacy will control all trade etc. in the world, through such laws as the prohibition to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. (Revelation 13:16-17)

Libyans - The ancient Libyans lived on the fringe of the desert and always looked longingly towards Egypt with its fertile Nile valley etc. Thus Libya today symbolizes the Third World. Ethiopians - The Ethiopians were always wealthy due to their gold mines in their mountains, and their wealth in cattle, ivory, hides and ebony. Also traffic from central Africa entered Egypt through Ethiopia. Thus Ethiopia represents the Affluent Western World.

The Papacy and her prostitute daughters (apostate Protestantism) would gain control or influence (spiritually and otherwise) over the churches (and actual nations). Even atheism will be influenced. The entire conglomerate of power would control the money and economic systems of the world, even over the communistic/atheistic systems. Compare to Revelation 13:16-17; Revelation 18.

GLOBALIZATION in a literal sense is international integration. It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society. On December 25, 2005 Pope Benedict calls for a united humanity. All countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, China, and Israel, and all religious beliefs including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and etc shall give the Papacy supremacy. Kings, Rulers, and Governors even in the United Nations are moving towards a New World Order, in conformity to the Papacy instead of God.

During the meeting of President Obama and Pope Benedict on July 10, 2009, Obama received an encyclical from the pope to carry out orders and dictates from the Papacy. After the meeting Obama declared there will be a new world financial order, which is leading to another fulfillment of prophecy, in which it is written: And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Kings, Rulers, and Governors have one mind." There will b e a universal bond of union, one great harmony, a confederacy of Satan's forces. "And shall give their power and strength unto the beast (which is the Papacy). Thus is manifested the same arbitrary, oppressive power against religious liberty, freedom to worship God according to the dictates of conscience, as was manifested by the papacy, when in the past it persecuted those who dared to refuse to conform with the religious rites and ceremonies of Romanists. {3SM 392.4}

But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. Dan. 11:44

But, the good news (good tidings) of the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6) that will be proclaimed in a mighty way in the last days (a message that swells to a loud cry), shall get the attention of the Papacy and her daughters. They shall be troubled by this message and shall go forth in great fury to persecute and destroy those who are proclaiming this end-time message.

But tidings out of the east and out of the North: What are those tidings? Its the everlasting gospel, good news report! Why the tidings comes from the east and the north? East and North are significant directions in the Bible to indicate where God comes from. Seal of God comes from the East. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God (Revelation 7:2). And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east (Ezekiel 43:2). North is spoken of as where God is. Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty Job 37:22.

It reveals that this message comes directly from God through his servants! Speaking frankly, this is God in his mercy, sending the final warning throughout the earth before the close of probation, to make known the everlasting gospel to all nations, kindred, tongue, and people. (Rev. 14:6) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter. 3:9)

The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them. The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good worksin words of truth and deeds of holiness. Christs Object Lessons, pp. 415-416.

In these last days workers for Christ will present truths, doctrine, or tidings such as: *THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH (SEAL OF GOD) MESSAGE *SANCTUARY MESSAGE *HEALTH REFORM *VICTORY OVER SIN *RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH *STATE OF THE DEAD * TESTIMONY OF JESUS *THE GREAT CONTROVERSY *WARNING AGAINST THE MARK OF THE BEAST *THE SCOND ADVENT OF JESUS * AND MUCH MUCH MORE

As the members of the body of Christ approach the period of their last conflict, "the time of Jacob's trouble," they will grow up into Christ, and will partake largely of His spirit. As the

third message swells to a loud cry, and as great power and glory attend the closing work, the faithful people of God will partake of that glory. It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. Their faces will shine with the glory of that light which attends the third angel. {1T 353.3} (REVELATION 14:9-12)

Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to His service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open. The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power-all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. {GC 606.2}

Servants of God, endowed with power from on high with their faces lighted up, and shining with holy consecration, went forth to proclaim the message from heaven. Souls that were scattered all through the religious bodies answered to the call, and the precious were hurried out of the doomed churches, as Lot was hurried out of Sodom before her destruction. God's people were strengthened by the excellent glory which rested upon them in rich abundance and prepared them to endure the hour of temptation. I heard everywhere a multitude of voices saying, "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." {EW 278.2}

Shall trouble him: The latter rain ripens the harvest. The early rain has purified the church and the latter rain puts the finishing touches on and prepares Gods people to give the final loud cry message of Revelation 18:1-4. This message infuriates and alarms the King of the North. He realizes his kingdom is being threatened like never before. This is his last desperate attempt to survive and to overthrow Gods plan and His people.

Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many:

Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet's words: "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17. {GC 592.3}

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful in ages past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education, will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals they will stir up the passions of the people.

The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth will come on the side of God's commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth. {Mar 199.3}

And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, nand none shall help him. DANIEL. 11:45

Between the Seas (v. 45) In prophecy, seas or water refers to people and nations. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues Revelation 17:15. Between - The papacy plants its influence between the people and the final message hoping to prevent any more people hearing the gospel and being saved.

Glorious Holy Mountain (v. 45) The Glorious holy mountain refers to Gods church here on earth. Symbolized by Mount Zi on in Jerusalem (capital of IsraelGods people on earth).

Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain. Zechariah 8:3. More specifically, glorious holy mountain refers to Gods people after they are purified and become the church triumphant (after the shaking). Gods kingdom has been made up. The 144,000 are sealed. Note the timing and sequence of events from Daniel 11:44-12:1.

The Papacy shall infiltrate and take over the centers of learning and much of the Leadership of Gods church. She shall plant her banner in the church. This would indicate that her principles, teachings, and some of her practices are planted within Gods true church as well as among other Christian churches. Quite possibly, she will seize the actual official leadership of the organized church in the very end of time. Gods people will be going into hiding to escape persecution at that time.

This decree (The National Sunday Law), coming from the murderous madness of (the king of the North), that is, the Papacy and its religious coalition, will be aimed at (many) people and (the Glorious Holy Mountain). He (Satan) is a deceiver, and through his serpentine sharpness, through his crooked practices he has drawn to himself the homage which man should have given to God, and has planted his Satanic throne between the human worshiper and the divine Father.--Ms 39, 1894, p. 4.

yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him: But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his (the Papacy) dominion, to consume and to destroy [it] unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel. 7:26-27)

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify [himself] in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he (the Papacy) shall also stand up against the Prince of princes (Jesus); but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel. 8:24-25) Brethren, the Lord calls for copartnership in his work. He desires us to enlist our interests in his cause, as Daniel did. We should receive great benefits from a study of the book of Daniel in connection with the Revelation. Daniel studied the prophecies. He earnestly sought to know their meaning. He prayed and fasted for heavenly light. And the glory of God was revealed to him in even greater measure than he could endure. We are in equal need of divine illumination. God has called us to give the last message of warning to the world. There will be voices heard on every side to divert the attention of God's people with new theories. We need to give the trumpet a certain sound. We do not half realize what is before us. If the books of Daniel and the Revelation were studied with earnest prayer, we should have a better knowledge of the perils of the last days, and would be better prepared for the work before us--we should be prepared to unite with Christ and to work in his lines. {RH, February 9, 1897 par. 13}

NOTES ON GOG AND MAGOG

SONG: "We are living, we are dwelling, In a grand and awful time, In an age on ages telling: To be living is sublime. Hark! The walking up of nations, Gog and Magog to the fray; Hark! What soundeth? Tis creations, Groaning for its latter day. (SDA HYMNAL # 617 ) Gog and Magog are used as symbol names for the combined attack upon New Jerusalem after the millennium.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. (REV. 20:7-9)

At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead and appear before God for the execution of "the judgment written." Thus the revelator, after describing the resurrection of the righteous, says: "The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished." Revelation 20:5. And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked: "They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited." Isaiah 24:22. {Mar 337.1} Now Satan prepares for a last mighty struggle for the supremacy. While deprived of his power and cut off from his work of deception, the prince of evil was miserable and dejected; but as the wicked dead are raised and he sees the vast multitudes upon his side, his hopes revive, and he determines not to yield the great controversy. He will marshal all the armies of the lost under his banner and through them endeavor to execute his plans. The wicked are Satan's captives. In rejecting Christ they have accepted the rule of the rebel leader. They are ready to receive his suggestions and to do his bidding. Yet, true to his early cunning, he does not acknowledge himself to be Satan. He claims to be the prince who is the rightful owner of the world and whose inheritance has been unlawfully wrested from him. He represents himself to his deluded subjects as a redeemer, assuring them that his power has brought them forth from their graves and that he is about to rescue them from the most cruel tyranny. The presence of Christ having been removed, Satan works wonders to support his claims. He makes the weak strong and inspires all with his own spirit and energy. He proposes to lead them against the camp of the saints and to take possession of the City of God. With fiendish exultation he points to the unnumbered millions who have been raised from the dead and declares that as their leader he is well able to overthrow the city and regain his throne and his kingdom. {Mar 337.2} In that vast throng are multitudes of the long-lived race that existed before the Flood; men of lofty stature and giant intellect, who, yielding to the control of fallen angels, devoted all their skill and knowledge to the exaltation of themselves; men whose wonderful works of art led the world to idolize their genius, but whose cruelty and evil inventions, defiling the earth and defacing the image of God, caused Him to blot them from the face of His creation. There are kings and generals who conquered nations, valiant men who never lost a battle, proud, ambitious warriors whose approach made kingdoms tremble. In death these experienced no change. As they come up from the grave, they resume the current of their thoughts just where it ceased. They are actuated by the same desire to conquer that ruled them when they fell. {Mar 338.1} Satan consults with his angels, and then with these kings and conquerors and mighty men. They look upon the strength and numbers on their side, and declare that the army within the

city is small in comparison with theirs, and that it can be overcome. They lay their plans to take possession of the riches and glory of the New Jerusalem. All immediately begin to prepare for battle. Skillful artisans construct implements of war. Military leaders, famed for their success, marshal the throngs of warlike men into companies and divisions. {Mar 338.2} At last the order to advance is given, and the countless host moves on--an army such as was never summoned by earthly conquerors, such as the combined forces of all ages since war began on earth could never equal. Satan, the mightiest of warriors, leads the van, and his angels unite their forces for this final struggle. Kings and warriors are in his train, and the multitudes follow in vast companies, each under its appointed leader. With military precision the serried ranks advance over the earth's broken and uneven surface to the City of God. By command of Jesus, the gates of the New Jerusalem are closed, and the armies of Satan surround the city and make ready for the onset. {Mar 338.3} The wicked all marched up around the "camp of the saints," with Satan at their head; and when they were ready to make an effort to take the city, the Almighty breathed from his high throne, on the city, a breath of devouring fire, which came down on them, and burnt them up, "root and branch." {WLF 11.4} And I saw, that as Christ is the vine, and his children the branches: so Satan is the "root", and his children are the "branches;" and at the final destruction of "Gog and Magog," the whole wicked host will be burnt up, "root and branch," and cease to exist. Then will appear the new heaven and the new earth. Then will the saints "build houses," and "plant vineyards." I saw, that all the righteous dead were raised by the voice of the Son of God, at the first resurrection; and all that were raised at the second resurrection, were burnt up, and ceased to exist. {WLF 11.5} Now, my dear reader, do you want to know whether you belong to Gog, or the saints? Try your spirit. If you are proud, haughty, tyrannical, selfish, worldly, dogmatical, full of bigotry, egotism and wilfulness, prone to misrepresent, deceive and lie against your neighbor, because he cannot see in every point exactly as you do; you may rest assured that your warrant is not a counterfeit, - you belong to the ARMY OF GOG. AMEN. (Views of Prophecy by William Miller)

NOTES ON THE FORMER AND LATTER RAIN

THE FORMER AND THE LATTER RAIN

God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit, than by the outward training of scientific institutions (5T 81, 82) Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:7,8 There must be no neglect of the grace represented by the former rain. Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light. Unless we are daily advancing In the exemplification of the active Christian virtues, we shall not recognize the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the latter rain. It may be failing on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern or receive it.-Testimonies to Ministers, 507:1. Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (Zec 10:1) Christ entered the second apartment in 1844 and when the church claims by faith the benefits of His mediation in the most holy place, she will receive the latter rain. The latter rain falling near the close of the season ripens the grain and prepares it for the sickle. The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of Gods grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed into the likeness of Christ. The latter rain ripening earths harvest represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen there will be no life, the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection TM506.

The latter rain seals Gods people, making permanent their early rain experience of comple te, unbroken victory over sin.When the decree (the National Sunday Law) goes forth, and the stamp is impressed [the seal of God], their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity. 5T 216

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zech 4:6) Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom 15:13), [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (GALATIANS 5) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (JUDE 1:20)

At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel. At that time the latter rain, or refreshing from the presenc e of the Lord, will come to give power to the loud voice of the third angel. EW 8586 It is the latter rain which revives and strengthens them to pass through the time of trouble. 1T 353 At that time *the little time of trouble+ the latter rain, or refreshing from the presence of the Lord, will come toprepare the saints to stand in the period when the seven last plagues shall be poured out. EW 86But near the close of earths harvest a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man.AA 55 Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation. 1T 187 I was shown that if Gods people make no efforts on their part, but wait for the refreshing to come upon them and remove their wrongs and correct their errors; if they depend upon that to cleanse them from filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and fit them to engage in the loud cry of the third angel, they will be found wanting. The refreshing or power of God comes only on those who have prepared themselves for it by doing the work which God bids them, namely, cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 1T 619 Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (ACTS 2:38) Repent ye therefore, and be

converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts. 3:19) The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin! To-day you are to have your vessel purified that it may be ready for the heavenly dew, ready for the showers of the latter rain; for the latter rain will come, and the blessing of God will fill every soul that is purified from every defilement. It is our work today to yield our souls to Christ, that we may be fitted for the time of refreshing from the presence of the Lord fitted for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. RH 3-22-1892 "The indwelling of the Spirit will be shown by the outflowing of heavenly love."-Christ's Object Lessons, p. 419. "There is nothing that the world needs so much as the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love." "By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His gloryHis characteris to shine forth in His followers." -Ibid. p. 414. "The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:5). May the Lord help His people to cleanse the soul temple from every defilement, and to maintain such a close connection with Him that they may be partakers of the latter rain when it shall be poured out. (Review & Herald, 7/20/1886)

NOTES ON THE TEN VIRGINS

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. (Matt 25:1) In the parable of the ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish. They all professed to be virgins, they all professed to be followers of God, but it's the result of the judgment that determines who is going to be saved and who is not. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith COL, 406:3. All had lamps, that is, an outward semblance of religion. SD, 118:1. By the lamps is represented the word of God. COL, 406:3. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 They went forth to meet the bridegroom. This is clearly Gods people moving into marriage with the LAMB. Where is the Bridegroom one may ask! Well, he is in the most holy place (DANIEL 7: 10,13). While Jesus had been ministering in the sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. Christ had received His kingdom, having made the atonement for His people, and blotted out their sin. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was consummated. -Early Writings, 280:1. They (Christs followers) were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to wait for their Lord, when He will return from the Wedding but they are to understand His work, and to follow Him by faith as He goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to go in to the marriage. . And all who through the testimony of the Scriptures accept the same truths, following Christ by faith as He enters in before God to perform the last work of mediation, and at its close to receive His kingdom, all these are represented as going in to the marriage. -Great Controversy, 427:12; 428:0.

And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. (Matt 25:2-3) Some were wise. The latter class (wise virgins) had received the grace of God, the regenerating, enlightening power of the Holy Spirit, which renders His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. -Great Controversy, 994:0. That oil is the righteousness of Christ. It represents character, and character is not transferable. No man can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a character purified from every stain of sin. -

Testimonies to Ministers, 294:0. But some will have delayed to obtain the oil for replenishing their lamps, and too late they will find that character, which Is represented by the oil, is not transferable. -Review, February 11, 1896. Some were foolish. The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy Spirits working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. . They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. . This is the class that in time of peril are found crying, Peace and safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream not of danger. Christs Object Lessons, 411:1-2.

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. (Matthew 25:4-5) But if we do not practice the truth, we have not received the holy oil. -4 Bible Commentary, 1179. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:2-6). COL, 407:0. All need to have the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps.-Counsels on Health, 422:1That oil is the righteousness of Christ. It represents character, and character is not transferable. No man can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a character purified from every stain of sin.-Testimonies to Ministers, 294:0. But some will have delayed to obtain the oil for replenishing their lamps, and too late they will find that character, which Is represented by the oil, is not transferable. -Review, February 11, 1896. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Right now we are in the waiting time - but too many are sleeping. The reason why the Bridegroom delays is because He is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 0 the precious long-suffering of our merciful Saviour! SD, 118:2. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. By the tarrying of the bridegroom is represented the passing of the time when the Lord was expected, the disappointment, and the seeming delay. In this time of uncertainty, the interest of the, superficial and half-hearted soon began to waver, and their efforts to relax; but those whose faith was based on a personal knowledge of the Bible, had a rock beneath their feet, which the waves of disappointment could not wash away. They all slumbered and slept; one class

in unconcern and abandonment of their faith, the other class patiently waiting till clearer light should be given. Yet In the night of trial the latter seemed to lose, to some extent, their zeal and devotion. The half-hearted and superficial could no longer lean upon the faith of their brethren. Each must stand or fall for himself. GC894:1, 895:0.

And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. (Matt 25:6-7) The coming of the bridegroom was at midnight--the darkest hour. So the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth's history. The days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing forward to this time declare that Satan will work with all power and "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as midnight, impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness God's light will shine. He causes "the light to shine out of darkness." 2 Corinthians 4:6. When "the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep," "the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light; and there was light." Genesis 1:2, 3. So in the night of spiritual darkness, God's word goes forth, "Let there be light." To His people He says, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1 "Behold," says the Scripture, "the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah 60:2. {COL 415.2} John was shown these things in holy vision. He saw the company represented by the five wise virgins, with their lamps trimmed and burning, and he exclaimed in rapture, "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. {16MR 269.2}

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves (Matt 25:8-9)

Testing times come to all. How do we conduct ourselves under the test and proving of God? Do our lamps go out? or do we still keep them burning? Are we prepared for every emergency by our connection with Him who is full of grace and truth? The five wise virgins could not impart their character to the five foolish virgins. Character must be formed by us as individuals. Review and Herald, October 17, 1895. The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger--a faith that will not faint though severely tried. Many of all nations and of all classes, high and low, rich and poor, black and white, will be cast into the most unjust and cruel bondage. The beloved of God pass weary days, bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, some apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons. . . . No human hand is ready to lend them help. {CC 369.5} The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church.--5T 81 (1882). {LDE 173.6} Character is not transferable. No man can secure it for another. Each must obtain for himself a character purified from every stain of sin.-TM 294:0.

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. (Matt 25:10) When our High Priest comes forth from the sanctuary, He will proclaim, 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(Revelation22:11). Eve ry case is decided for eternity. Probation is forever ended. All who wait until that time, hoping to be saved, will find no one to plead their case before the Father; they will be eternally lost. {The Cross & Shadow p. 89} Then I saw Jesus lay off His priestly attire and clothe Himself with His most kingly robes. Upon His head were many crowns, a crown within a crown. Surrounded by the angelic host, He left heaven. The plagues were falling upon the inhabitants of the earth. Some were denouncing God and cursing Him. Others rushed to the people of God and begged to be taught how they might escape His judgments. But the saints had nothing for them. The last tear for sinners had been shed, the last agonizing prayer offered, the last burden borne, the last warning

given. The sweet voice of mercy was no more to invite them. When the saints, and all heaven, were interested for their salvation, they had no interest for themselves. Life and death had been set before them. Many desired life, but made no effort to obtain it. They did not choose life, and now there was no atoning blood to cleanse the guilty, no compassionate Saviour to plead for them, and cry, "Spare, spare the sinner a little longer." All heaven had united with Jesus, as they heard the fearful words, "It is done. It is finished." The plan of salvation had been accomplished, but few had chosen to accept it. And as mercy's sweet voice died away, fear and horror seized the wicked. With terrible distinctness they heard the words, "Too late! too late!" (EW 282)

Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matt 25:11-12) The coming of Christ will be as it were at midnight, when all are sleeping. It will be well for every one to have his accounts all straightened up before sunset. All his works should be right, all his dealings just, between himself and his fellow-men. All dishonesty, all sinful practices should be put far away. The oil of grace should be in our vessels with our lamps. There will be some at that late day who will have the appearance of being Christians, but their identity with Christ is only a deception. Sad indeed will be the condition of the soul who has had a form of godliness but has denied the power thereof; who has called Christ, Lord, Lord, and yet who has not his image and superscription. The foolish virgins flattered themselves that they would have mercy, that they would obtain an entrance into the marriage feast; but the Master answered their plea for admission with a stern refusal, saying, "I know you not." "And the door was shut." {RH, March 27, 1894 par. 10} We are now living in a most perilous time, and not one of us should be tardy in seeking a preparation for the coming of Christ. Let none follow the example of the foolish virgins, and think that it will be safe to wait until the crisis comes before gaining a preparation of character to stand in that time. It will be too late to seek for the righteousness of Christ when the guests are called in and examined. Now is the time to put on the righteousness of Christ,-the wedding garment that will fit you to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb. In the parable, the foolish virgins are represented as begging for oil, and failing to receive it at their request. This is symbolic of those who have not prepared themselves by developing a character to stand in a time of crisis. It is as if they should go to their neighbors and say, Give me your character, or I shall be lost. Those that were wise could not impart their oil to the flickering lamps of the foolish virgins. Character is not transferable. {YI, January 16, 1896 par. 2}

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh: Warning, admonition, promise, all are for us, upon whom the ends of the world are come. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). . . . Watch against the stealthy approach of the enemy, watch against old habits and natural inclinations, lest they assert themselves; force them back, and watch. Watch the thoughts, watch the plans, lest they become self-centered. Watch over the souls whom Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good. If you draw close to Jesus and seek to adorn your profession by a well-ordered life and godly conversation, your feet will be kept from straying into forbidden paths. If you will only watch, continually watch unto prayer, if you will do everything as if you were in the immediate presence of God, you will be saved from yielding to temptation, and may hope to be kept pure, spotless, and undefiled till the last. If you hold the beginning of your confidence firm unto the end, your ways will be established in God; and what grace has begun, glory will crown in the kingdom of our God. {AG 332.6} "Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." Rev. 16:15. Christ must be grieved to have so many Christians ignore all the warnings He has sent and all the signs He has given. Nineteen centuries ago the church was asleep, ignorant of His birth, and unacquainted with the prophecies. Now, as another important event is at the door, the church is engrossed with the first coming and practically ignores the second. Christ can do no more than He has done. The signs we have been studying are so plain and evident that there can be little excuse for any. We can only pray that the church will yet awake to its great privilege and not fulfill the part of the five foolish virgins in the parable. There is yet time, but there is none to lose. May God grant the church power to rise, shed its lethargy and drowsiness, and go forth to meet the bridegroom. FAITH OF JESUS p. 125 by M L. ANDREASON

NOTES ON THE 144, 000

And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Revelation 7:1-4).

Notice the angels are holding back the winds, till the servants of God are sealed! Why are the angels holding the winds? The angels are holding the winds because when the winds are loosed destruction come upon the world with the outpouring of Gods wrath! In the bible wind represent destruction:

When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you (Proverbs 1:27). Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked (Jeremiah 23:19). Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth (Jeremiah 25:32).

The judgments of God follow the sealing work (Eze. 9:5-7). The wrath of God in the seven last plagues will constitute the "time of trouble such as never was," after Michael stands up. Dan.xii,1. The mediation of Jesus in the Heavenly Sanctuary, prevents the wrath of God from coming on a guilty world. The four angels [Rev.vii,1-3] hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed by the last warning message. When that work is done, Christ will lay aside his priestly attire, put on the "garments of vengeance," [Is.lix,17,] and take his position on the "white cloud," [Rev.xiv,14,] with "a sharp sickle" to reap the harvest of the earth. Then the four angels will cease to hold the four winds [Rev.vii,1-3,] and the wrath of God, in the seven last plagues, will be poured out. {ND JW, BEARF 22.2}

So this is why God is holding back those winds until his servants are sealed! There are many who know not the truth, and there are many who are not ready! There are many of us who are not save that will be save, there are many! Speaking frankly, this is God in his mercy, sending the final warning throughout the earth before the close of probation, to make known the everlasting gospel to all nations, kindred, tongue, and people. (Rev. 14:6) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter. 3:9)

Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, "My blood, Father, My blood! My blood! My blood!" Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel fly with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do in the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! hold! hold! hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads." {CET 102.1}

I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father, and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels, and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. {CET 102.2}

The Lord is soon to come. The angels are holding the four winds, in order that God's people may do their long-neglected work. We are not half awake to what might be done in our world. . . . {RC 240.2}

I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God (Revelation 7:2). East and North are significant directions in the Bible to indicate where God

comes from. Seal of God comes from the East. And, behold, the glory of the God o f Israel came from the way of the east (Ezekiel 43:2). This angel comes with a message directly from God having the seal of God, likewise there are messengers on earth today having a message directly from God. That if people would accept this message, they would receive the seal of the living GOD in their foreheads.

I saw another angel ascending from the east, But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many. Dan. 11:44

But, the good news (good tidings) of the everlasting gospel (Rev 14:6) that will be proclaimed in a mighty way in the last days (a message that swells to a loud cry), shall get the attention of the Papacy and her daughters. They shall be troubled by this message and shall go forth in great fury to persecute and destroy those who are proclaiming this end-time message.

When every one who will accept the message is sealed, the angel reports that the work is finished (Eze. 9:11). So many that had been counted with Israel were slain that it looked as if all the people of God would be destroyed (Eze. 9:8, 9). All who make a profession are not really Israel (Rom. 9:6). Old and young stand on their own individual records (Eze. 9:6). No one will be shielded or saved because of father's or mother's righteousness. Only an individual experience in the things of God will save any one (Eze. 14:20). We have to pray for ourselves , love ones, and precious souls for whom CHRIST died! PRAY PRAY PRAY! GET READY GET READY GET READY!

The 144,00 will obtain the victory over the beast and his image (Rev. 15:2). They refuse the mark of the(Papacy) beast and his image (Rev. 14:9-12). The papacy gives us a sign or mark of his authority and power to make laws, to bind men's consciences, and command them under sin. What is it? In the language of an approved Roman Catholic writer, it is "the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday." If the papal church did change the Sabbath into Sunday, as it claims, to keep its "Sunday" instead of the Sabbath, is an acknowledgment of its power and right to change the law of God, and an acceptance of its proffered mark of the same. Hence, those that keep all the commandments of God will not have the mark of the

beast, and those that accept of the mark of the beast will not keep all the commandments of God. This is the test on the commandments. {November 4, 1862 JWe, ARSH 181.8}

The Christian world generally has followed on in Sunday-keeping without any particular choice. But when the claims of the Sabbath of the fourth Commandment are urged upon the mind in opposition to the practice of Sunday-keeping, it is then that men choose, and receive either the Mark of the Beast, or the Seal of the living God. {August 7, 1856 UrSe, ARSH 108.14}

The one hundred and forty-four thousand receive the seal of the living God in their forehead ( Rev. 7:2-4). Why do they have the Fathers name written on their foreheads (Rev. 14:1)? They have his name because they reflect him in their lives and character. The name of God is His character (Ex. 34:5, 6). Those who are sealed will reveal His character in their very lives. Also, God has a seal; this seal is connected with His law (Rev. 7:3,4; Isa. 8:16). The fourth commandment contains the seal of the law of God. It gives His name,-Lord God; His authority,-the Creator; and His territory,-the heaven and earth which He has made. (Ex. 20:811). Sabbath is the sign, or seal, of the law of God. (Eze. 20:12,20). A blessing is pronounced upon the one who will keep the Sabbath. (Isa. 56:1,2).

The Holy Spirit is the instrument that stamps the seal of God on the heart. Eph. 4:30. Without this, the Sabbath loses its sacredness and becomes merely a day of physical rest and recreation - not a holy day. If we keep the Sabbath "holy," the Holy Spirit will place the seal of God upon us, and we shall have "the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." II Cor. 1:22. The Holy Spirit is the "earnest," the pledge or the assurance, whereby we obtain our divine inheritance. No one can truly keep the Sabbath "holy" without the Holy Spirit in his heart. (PTG, p. 139 Sarah Peck) Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah. 4:6) The Holy Spirit is imparted to every repentant soul to ke ep him [us] from sinning. (DA: 311). Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work. (TM: 50).

Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Saviour. He came to this world to be

tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve. {RH, March 9, 1905 par. 4}

All who have the seal depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19). Those who have a burden of soul for others and are grieved on account of sin, will receive the mark (Eze. 9:4). Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church. Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God--candidates for heaven. {Mar 240.6} (Eze. 9:4)

Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire,so resplendent is it with the glory of God,are gathered the company that have gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name. *Revelation 15:2.+ With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, having the harps of God, they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, the voice of harpers harping with their harps. *Revelation 14:1 -5; 15:3; 7:14-17] And they sing a new song before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb, a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience,an experience such as no other company have ever had. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb. These are they which came out of great tribulation; *Revelation 14:1 -5; 15:3; Revelation 7:14-17.] they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments. But they have been delivered, for they have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. In their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before God. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. *Revelation 14:1-5; 15:3; Revelation 7:14-17.] They have seen the earth wasted with famine and pestilence, the sun having power

to scorch men with great heat, and they themselves have endured suffering, hunger, and thirst. But they shall hunger no more; neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. *Revelation 14:1-5; 15:3; 7:14-17.] {GC88 648.3}

NOTES ON TRUE EDUCATION AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

TRUE EDUCATION CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT Now thanks [be] unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14) The true object of education is to restore the image of God in the soul. In the beginning, God created man in his own likeness. He endowed him with noble qualities. His mind was wellbalanced, and all the powers of his being were harmonious. But the fall and its effects have perverted these gifts. Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man. It was to restore this that the plan of salvation was devised, and a life of probation was granted to man. To bring him back to the perfection in which he was first created, is the great object of life,--the object that underlies every other. It is the work of parents and teachers, in the education of the youth, to co-operate with the divine purpose; and in so doing they are "laborers together with God." [1 Corinthians 3:9.] {CE 63.3} So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:27). Man was to bear God's image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is "the express image" (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will. {PP 45.2} Satan succeeded in causing Adam and Eve to sin, and sin marred the image of God in man! Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity. Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his Maker. None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin. He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will. He came to lift us up from the dust, to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character, and to make it beautiful with His own glory. {DA 37.3} The angels sinned (2 Peter 2:4). Satan and his evil angels was cast from heaven, they came to earth (Rev. 12:7-9). Satan is the father of sin (John 8:44), and He caused our first parents to sin (Gen. 3:1-6). When Adam sinned, and then Satan became earths ruler, he became prince of the power of the air, working in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). All man sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and sin is the transgression of GODS LAW (1

John 3:4), so man became slaves to sin and Satan. Man is powerless to redeem the earth from the curse of sin (Neh. 5:4, 5). Satan is prince of this world. Someone stronger than Satan must arise to destroy him and remove the curse (Mark 3:26, 27). But a stronger than he came into the world. We know He is stronger, because the battle has been fought and won. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them (us) who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15). Christ's death cast Satan out of his place (John 12:31). There was a shout from heaven: A shout rang through heaven when the accuser was cast out (Rev. 12:10). It was only by most desperate conflict with the powers of Satan that Christ could accomplish his purpose of restoring the almost obliterated image of God in man, and place his own signature upon his forehead. It was a desperate battle; for Satan had so long worked in league with human intelligences as to about completely intercept every ray of light shining from the throne of God upon the human mind. The cross of Calvary alone could destroy the works of the devil. In that wondrous sacrifice all eyes were called to "behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." The love of Christ kindles in the heart of all who continue to behold him. {PC 164.2} Righteousness is stronger than sin, even as God is stronger than Satan. God can pluck out of the hands of Satan the soul that cries out for deliverance; but none can pluck God's children out of His hand. {November 8, 1894 EJW, PTUK 707.14} Well, then when a dead Christ is stronger than all the power of the devil, what can a living Christ not do, who sits at the right hand of God today? Is there any room for our being discouraged? Is there any room for fear, even in the presence of all the principalities and powers and mights and dominions that the devil can muster on the earth? No. For He who is with us now alive, when dead was stronger than Satan with all his power. Now Jesus is alive forevermore; we are alive in Him; and His power is enlisted in our behalf--His living power. His dead power would be enough, wouldn't it? But He does not stop at that. It is living power. Be glad and rejoice and conquer in it. {March 3, 1895 ATJ, GCB 437.1} Jesus lived a sinless life, a life where the devil could find no fault in him, for it is written: the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. (John 14:30). As a man, Jesus revealed to all humanity, that through divine power, the very God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly (Romans 16:20). Christ shall bruise satan under our feet shortly. Jesus had to depend on the father when he took our sinful flesh (Romans 8:3), for Jesus said: I can of mine

own self do nothing (John 5:30), revealing to us likewise we must depend on him because it is written: .that we should have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). Ever since Adam yielded his mind to Satan's device, the conflict has raged between right and wrong, between God and Satan. Connected with the doing of right there is a power that Satan cannot overcome. Righteousness has a vitality that is divine. Truth will triumph at last over falsehood, and God will vanquish the enemy. Christ conquered Satan in our behalf. . . . He is mightier than Satan, and He will shortly bruise him under our feet. {FLB 72.2}

And Jesus kept all the commandments of God, revealing to us that we too can keep all Gods commandments (John 15:10). So in this last generation, the final generation there will be a people who will keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:12). God will have a people fit to live in the presence of a holy God! They will overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). There will be faces aglow with the love of God, there will be lips touched with holy fire saying, 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.' We must talk of the mightiness of Christ. We are utterly powerless to rescue ourselves from the grasp of Satan; but God has appointed a way of escape. The Son of the Highest has strength to fight the battle for us, and "through Him that loved us" we may come off "more than conquerors." {CCh 79.3} It is a wonder of all wonders, of how God can restore his sinless character in sinful man! How God can take the sinner and mold him into a saint! How God can take one who is a transgressor by nature and by his grace transform him into a keeping commandment child of GOD! And how God can cause righteousness and praise to spring forth in any common man! Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalms 107:8) So every soul, however degraded by sin, is in God's sight accounted precious. Man at his creation bore the image and superscription of God; and though now marred and dim through the influence of sin, the traces of this inscription remain upon every soul. God desires to recover that soul and to retrace upon it His own image in righteousness and holiness. {COL 194.3}

Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that the character will be transformed at the coming of Christ; but there will be no conversion of heart at his appearing. Our defects of character must here be repented of, and through the grace of Christ we must overcome them while probation shall last. This is the place for fitting up for the family above. {ST, November 14, 1892 par. 8} At the same time, we should have a true understanding of what sin does to us, for God says, "he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul" (Proverbs 8:36). Sin is not only recorded in living characters in heaven; it is recorded in the minds of men. "The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond : it is graven upon the table of their heart" (Jeremiah 17 : 1) . "The character of the thoughts leaves its imprint upon the soul. God may and will forgive the repentant sinner, but though forgiven, the soul is marred; the power of the elevated thought possible to the unimpaired mind is destroyed. Through all time the soul bears the scars. " FCE 195 "All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood, of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life ."-- Great Controversy, p. 483 . Character is not obtained by receiving an education. Character is not obtained by amassing wealth, or by gaining worldly honor. Character is not obtained by trying to have others fight the battle of life for us. It must be sought, worked for, fought for; and it requires a purpose, a will, a determination. To form a character which God will approve, requires persevering effort. It will take a continual resisting of the powers of darkness to stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel, to be approved in the day of Judgment, and have our names retained in the book of life. Is it not worth more to have our names registered in that book, have them immortalized among the heavenly angels, than to have them sounded in praise throughout the whole earth? Let me know that Jesus smiles upon me; let me know that he approves my actions and my course, and then let come what may, let afflictions be ever so great, I will be resigned to my lot and rejoice in the Lord. {RH, December 21, 1886 par. 2} "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18. The glory he mentioned is character, therefore by thinking and talking of Jesus we become charmed with His character, and by faith we become changed from character to character.

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." "Ye are the light of the world . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." We must practice the example of Christ, bearing in mind His Sonship and His humanity. It was not God that was tempted in the wilderness, nor a god that was to endure the contradiction of sinners against himself. It was the Majesty of heaven who became a man--humbled Himself to our human nature. {6MR 342.2} And "God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge [the science] of the glory [the character] of God in the fact of Jesus Christ." And "we all, with open fact beholding as in a glass the glory [the character] of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory [from character to character], even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 4:6; 3:18. {1903 ATJ, PBE 140.2} He who was the living expression of the character of the law of God, came to show men the height and depth, and length and breadth of God's love-His law. But sinful man could not look upon that law and live (1 Samuel 6:19) ; neither could he look upon Him who was the brightness of His Father's glory and the express image of His person. (Hebrews 1 :3) . When Moses descended the mount with shining face and holy law, the people could not commune with him until the glory was veiled . So Jesus, in order to draw near to man, condescended to take a veil of human flesh (Hebrews 10:20). Now let us read Philippians 2 :5,6 : "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus : Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God ." He thought it not a place to be grasped, to be eagerly desired. He was equal with God from eternity, but "Who is a God like unto our God, who humbleth Himself?" "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men : and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross ." Philippians 2 :7,8 . He humbled Himself by His incarnation . We are told in the Spirit of Prophecy that it would have been an almost infinite humiliation for Christ to take man's nature as he was in Eden before he fell.

But Jesus took man's nature after man had wandered four thousand years in sin. He condescended to dwell with us for the joy that was set before Him, (He) endured the cross, despising the shame ." Hebrews 12 :2. Actually that means, as another translation gives it, "Instead of the joy that was set before Him. " Here was the Majesty of Heaven who created all things. He had the adoration of seraphim and cherubim, but instead of the joy that was set before Him, He humbled Himself . He loved us and gave Himself for us . He came down to

take us as His inheritance, to lift up the poor and to save the beggar out of the dunghill . We see His humiliation supremely manifested in Gethsemane and the cross, when He hid not His face from shame and spitting, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. As touching the life of Jesus, I read: He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there, as He saw men weary, yet compelled to bear heavy burdens. His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts. His character expressed love in look and tone, and a sweet sympathetic spirit . His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He never became indulgent about sin. His tender, pitying heart was ever awakened to sympathy by suffering. During every hour of His life upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams. His every feature expressed gentleness, and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. Are we pressing toward the mark set before us the perfection of His character? When the Lord's people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads. Filled with the Spirit, they will be complete in Christ, and the recording angel will declare, "It is finished ." (6BC 1118) "Through the merits of Christ, through His righteousness, which by faith is imputed unto us, we are to attain to the perfection of Christian character ."--Testimonies, vol . 5, p . 744 . "While Jesus is pleading for the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them before God as transgressors . The great deceiver has sought to lead them into skepticism, to cause them to lose confidence in God, to separate themselves from His love, and to break His law . Now he points to the record of their lives, to the defects of character, the unlikeness to Christ, which has dishonored their Redeemer, to all the sins that he has tempted them to commit, and because of these he claims them as his subjects . " Great Controversy, pp. 483-4 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for 'He is faithful that promised ."--Hebrews 10 :23 . The apostle calls it an anchor, "both sure and steadfast," which enters within the veil, where Christ has entered for us . The servant of the Lord tells us it will save us from the delusions of the last days . A mighty shaking is coming upon the church of God, which is going to be so terrible that all that can be shaken will be shaken . Only those things that cannot be shaken will remain . As we gather around the sanctuary with our sins forgiven, claiming the blood of Jesus as our atoning sacrifice, hiding in the righteousness of our great High Priest, claiming His promise at the sanctuary, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering ; for He is faithful that promised ; Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward, for ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise ."--Hebrews 10 :23, 35, 36 . Perfection is

God's promise to us in the book of Hebrews, perfection of character through the ministry of Jesus. The character of God and His Law would be vindicated only by man's living a sinless life. The Man Jesus lived such a life. Thus He demonstrated God's purpose for human nature here and now, a sinless life. "Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him." (DA 664) Dont ever give up, fight the good fight of faith! If ever you fall, come to the foot of the cross, Jesus will give us the victory, because he has the power to save us amply, completely, fully, and entirely from sin! AMEN AMEN AMEN!

NOTES ON THE SEALING

The one hundred and forty-four thousand are distinguished from all others by their having the seal of the living God in their foreheads. All who have this seal are included in this company. (REVELATION. 7:2-4)This distinguishing mark is called the Fathers name. (REVELATION. 14:1) Ezekiel was evidently shown the same work, and speaks of it as a mark upon the forehead. (EZEKIEL. 9:4) We are familiar with th e term seal in connection with legal documents. A seal contains the name of the person issuing the document, his office or authority, and the extent of his jurisdiction. The seal placed upon the foreheads of the one hundred and forty-four thousand, is the seal of the living God. Seals are attached to laws and legal documents; therefore we should look for Gods seal to be attached to His law. The prophet Isaiah, looking down through the ages, saw a people who were expecting Christ to come from the heavenly sanctuary to the earth, and the message of God to them was, Seal the law among My disciples.(ISAIAH. 8:16) ,THE CROSS & SHADOW p. 151The fourth commandment contains, first, the name, the Lord thy God; second, the statement that the Lord thy God is the Creator of all things, and therefore has power to issue this law; third, a record of His territory, which consists of heaven and earth, which He created. (Exodus 20:8-11) The fourth commandment requires all who dwell in the territory of the Lord God the Creator, to keep holy the seventh day of the week, which He has sanctified and blessed, (Genesis 2:2,3 ) as a memorial of His creative work. The Sabbath commandment contains the seal of the law. The word sign is sometimes used as a synonym for seal. (Romans 4:11) Of the Sabbath God says: It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever. (Exodus 31:13,16,17) THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 152) Moreover also I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. (Ezekiel 20:12) God blessed and sanctified the Sabbath; (Genesis 2:2,3) and to the one who will keep it holy, it is a sign, or seal, of Gods power to sanctify him. (Isaiah 58:13,14)There is a knowledge of God in the proper observance of the Sabbath. Hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. (Ezekiel 20:20) ,THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 152) The Sabbath reform the sealing work of Rev. 7:1-4 arose as the sun. For some years there were only a few that kept the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; but as individuals here and there, in all parts of the world, found that the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that Christ (Luke 4:16; Matthew 5:17,18) and the apostles (Luke 23:54-56; Acts 17:2; 16:13; 18:4,11) kept it, they accepted it; (Romans 3:19) and today in every division of the earth there are those who honor God as the Creator,

by keeping holy the day which He sanctified and blessed as a memorial of His creative work. (THE SHADOW & CROSS p. 153) The Holy Spirit is the instrument that stamps the seal of God on the heart. Eph. 4:30. Without this, the Sabbath loses its sacredness and becomes merely a day of physical rest and recreation - not a holy day. If we keep the Sabbath "holy," the Holy Spirit will place the seal of God upon us, and we shall have "the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." II Cor. 1:22. The Holy Spirit is the "earnest," the pledge or the assurance, whereby we obtain our divine inheritance. No one can truly keep the Sabbath "holy" without the Holy Spirit in his heart. (PTG, p. 139)

Ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians. 1:13, 4:31) The Holy Spirit is imparted to every repentant soul to keep him *us+ from sinning. (DA: 311). Divine grace is needed at the beginning, divine grace at every step of advance, and divine grace alone can complete the work. (TM: 50). "To sin, wherever found, `our God is a consuming fire.' Heb. 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them." -The Desire of Ages, p. 107. "If men are willing to be molded, there will be brought about a sanctification of the whole being. The Spirit will take the things of God and stamp them on the soul."(AA, p. 53). "As wax takes the impression of the seal, so the soul is to take the impression of the Spirit of God and retain the image of Christ."(SM, book 1, p. 337). "By implanting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His gloryHis characteris to shine forth in His followers." (COL. 414). Those who are distrusful of self, who are humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by obeying the truth-these are receiving the heavenly mold, and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity."-Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 215, 216. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his (2 Timothy. 2:19). We are to be distinguished from the world because God has placed His seal upon us, because He manifests in us His own character of love. Our Redeemer covers us with His righteousness. {MH 37.2}

NOTES ON THE LAW OF GOD

The earthly sanctuary that Moses build, patterned the heavenly sanctuary that God made! For it is written: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount. (HEBREWS. 8:5). And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, [after] the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make [it]. And look that thou make [them] after their pattern, which was showed thee in the mount. (EX. 25: 8-9,40). And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims. [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. (1 Kings. 8:6, 9). None could fail to see that if the earthly sanctuary was a figure or pattern of the heavenly, the law deposited in the ark on earth was an exact transcript of the law in the ark in Heaven; and that an acceptance of the truth concerning the heavenly sanctuary involved an acknowledgment of the claims of God's law, and the obligation of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Here was the secret of the bitter and determined opposition to the harmonious exposition of the Scriptures that revealed the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. Men sought to close the door which God had opened, and to open the door which he had closed. But He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth, had declared, Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. *Revelation 3:7, 8.+ Christ had opened the door, or ministration, of the most holy place, light was shining from that open door of the sanctuary in Heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included in the law which is there enshrined; what God had established, no man could overthrow. {GC88 435.1} When Jesus entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844, "the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament" (Revelation 11 :19). God's people realized then that this sacred ark, containing the Ten Commandments, was the great original, of which the one in the earthly sanctuary was but a copy. The light shining from the most holy place of the sanctuary gave rise to a great reformatory movement which was to constitute "the repairer of the breach" (Isaiah 58:12). This movement, going into all the world, brings to all men the promise of the gospel prophet:

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasures, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it" (Isaiah 58:13, 14) Let none imagine that this promise is only for physical Jews, for Isaiah also says : "Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer" (Isaiah 56:6, 7) Here is the truth concerning the Sabbath of the LORD: Gen. 2:3. Instituted by God. Gen. 2:2, 3; Ex. 20:11. The Sabbath is a memorial of creation. Ex. 20:9-11. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Bible. Mark 2:27. It was made for man. Gen. 2:3. God blessed the Sabbath. Ex. 31:15. Sanctified the Sabbath. Ex. 20:11. Hallowed the Sabbath. Lev. 19:30. Commands us to keep the Sabbath. Ex. 20:8. Commands us to recognize the sanctity of the Sabbath. Deut. 5:15. God will have His goodness commemorated in the observance of the Sabbath. Heb. 4:4, 9. The Sabbath is a type of the heavenly rest.

Christ and the Sabbath Mark 2:28. Christ is Lord of the Sabbath. Luke 4:16. Jesus was accustomed to keep the Sabbath when he was on the earth.

Matt. 24:20. Taught His disciples to pray that they might not break the Sabbath. Luke 4:31; 6:6. Christ taught on the Sabbath day. Mark 3:1-5. He taught that it was right to perform acts of mercy on the Sabbath day.

Did Christ Change The Sabbath? Matt. 5:17, 18. Wicked persons in the time of Christ were tempted to accuse Him of changing the law of God; but He read their thoughts and rebuked them for it before the words were spoken. John 5:10-19. The Jews sought to kill Jesus because he healed the sick upon the Sabbath day. John 9:14-16. They thought He was not of God because He healed on the Sabbath day. Matt. 12:10-12. The Saviour referred them to the Scriptures, stating that it was lawful to do acts of mercy on the Sabbath day, thus recognizing the Sabbath law. John 15:10. Jesus repudiated every charge of breaking the Sabbath by declaring that He kept his Father's commandments. Mark 7:6-12. He refused to honor "tradition of men," substituted for God's law. Isa. 42:21. The prophet Isaiah, looking down through the ages to the time of Christ, said that He would "magnify the law and make it honorable." Luke 4:16. Jesus kept the Sabbath. Matt. 24:20. He taught His disciples to honor it.

Luke 23:54-56. His followers kept it; Jesus never changed the Sabbath. Even when the earth is made new, we will keep the Sabbath for it is written: For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, [that] from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 66:2223)

Did The Disciples Change The Sabbath? Gen. 2:2, 3. It was the seventh day of the week that was first sanctified and set apart as the Sabbath of the Lord. Ex. 20:8-11. It was the same seventh day that the followers of the Saviour kept while He lay dead in Joseph's new tomb. Luke 23:54-56 Mark 16:1, 2. The Sabbath of the New Testament comes on the day before the first day of the week. Luke 23:54-56; 24:1. From these verses we see that the Sabbath of the New Testament was the day between Friday, the preparation day, and Sunday, the first day of the week. Acts. 13:14, 15, 42-44. Paul preached in Ephesus on the Sabbath day. Acts 16:12, 13. Work in Philippi opened with the Sabbath service. Acts 17:2. Thessalonica church had Sabbath service. Acts 18:4, 11. For one and half years Paul held Sabbath services in Corinth. Acts 18:17. If the apostles had not kept the seventh-day Sabbath, Paul could not have said that they had done nothing against the customs of the Jews Acts 15:21. As late as the year 52 A.D., 21 years this side of the cross, in every city the Scriptures were "read in the synagogues every Sabbath day." This Sabbath day was the same day that had been kept from the days of Moses. Acts 13:42, 44. The Jews and believing Gentiles kept the same day for the Sabbath. There is no mention in the New Testament of any change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week. The disciples did not change the Sabbath. It is written, [1John 3:4,] "Sin is the transgression of the law." And was it not sin that crucified the Son of God? Yea, verily. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. And will those who love him continue to transgress, and thus crucify him afresh (Hebrews 6:6), and re-open all his wounds? O, no. Love constraineth to obedience. - Let none pretend to the faith of Jesus, who, with the light that now shineth, can disregard the commandments of God. Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (REV. 22:14). To sin means to crucify Jesus (Heb. 6:6), and sin is the transgression of God's holy law (1 John. 3:4). If you love Jesus would

you continue crucifying and continue transgressing God's law? "The whole world stands charged today with the, deliberate rejection and murder of the Son of God. TM 38. "Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and "God is love." 1 John 4:16. It is conformity to the law of God, for "all thy commandments are righteousness" (Ps. 119:172), and "love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10). Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. (Romans 7:12). He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21). This [is] the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb. 10:16-17) And [having] an high priest over the house of God; Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;) (Heb. 10:21, 23) Jesus said, If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15). So do you rather obey Christ who you profess to love, or sin and crucify Christ! He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4). What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid (Romans 6:15). Because of the sins of men, Christ's heart was broken. We may now give our hearts to Him that He will write upon the tables of our hearts His law of love. Here are a group of people who overcomes the sin problem by the grace of God: Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (Revelation 14:12)."The law of love is the foundation of the government of God " GC 493. He magnified the law and made it honorable (Isa . 42'.21) .

THE CONFLICT OVER GODS LAW CONTINUES!

The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause "the earth and them which dwell therein" to worship the papacy there symbolized by the beast "like unto a leopard." The beast with two horns is also to say "to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;" and, furthermore, it is to command all, "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond," to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be

fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. "I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, "his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Paul states plainly that the "man of sin" will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: "All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. {DD 27.1}

No one has yet received the mark of the beast. Sunday keeping is not yet the mark of the beast, and will not be until the decree goes forth causing men to worship this idol sabbath. The time will come when this day will be the test, but that time has not come yet. 7BC 977 (1899). {LDE 224.6}

The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not. {LDE 225.2} While the observance of the false sabbath in compliance with the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other, choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.--GC 605 (1911). When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command ofGod to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome, and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image. {LDE 226.1}

As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honor in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome--"the mark of the beast." And it is not until the issue is thus 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."--GC 449 (1911). {LDE 226.2} Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12. In the near future we shall see these words fulfilled as the Protestant churches unite with the world and with the papal power against commandment keepers. The same spirit which actuated papists in ages past will lead Protestants to pursue a similar course toward those who will maintain their loyalty to God. {5T 449.2} Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. (REV 22:14). Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (REV 14:12). 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; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. (REVELATION. 14: 9-12).

"Fearful is the issue to which the world is to be brought. The powers of earth, uniting to war against the commandments of God, will decree that all, 'both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,' shall conform to the customs of the church by the observance of the false sabbath. All who refuse compliance will be visited with civil penalties, and it will finally be declared that they are deserving of death. On the other hand, the law of God enjoining the Creator's rest-day demands obedience, and threatens wrath against all who transgress its precepts. {RH, April 27, 1911 par. 15}

"With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whosoever shall trample upon God's law to obey a human enactment, receives the mark of the beast; he accepts the sign of allegiance to the power which he chooses to obey instead of God. The warning from Heaven is: '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.' . . . {RH, April 27, 1911 par. 16}

The wrath of God mentioned by the third angel is the seven last plagues. "In them is filled up the wrath of God," Rev.15:1. If we submit to the beast and his image by keeping their commandments, we must drink of the wine of the wrath of God without mixture, which is soon to be poured out in the seven last plagues. {1855 RFC, BIC 122.3}

But the seven last plagues comprise the wrath of God. This wrath is poured upon those who worship the Beast and his Image, upon those who refuse to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And the Third Angel's Message is to warn men against that worship, that they may escape this wrath; and it calls them especially to "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." {October 9, 1900 ATJ, ARSH 648.18}

And each one who lives the natural course of life, will be called upon, and that soon, to decide for himself whether he will "worship Him that made Heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (Rev. 14:5-12); or whether he will renounce allegiance to God and worship the papal power and the National Reform image to it in the United States. The commandment of God says, "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work." In defiance of this commandment, and upon the sole authority of the Catholic Church, the National Reformers are going to enact a law by which they can compel everybody to keep Sunday. But, "If any man worship the beast and his image, . . . he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation. . . . Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:9-12.A. T. J. {January 28, 1886 ATJ, SITI 59.7} Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev.14: 12. The faith of Jesus, It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel's message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to

be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. Faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus. {12MR 193.4} Again, Sin is the transgression of Gods law ,1 John. 3:4-. Even transgressing the fourth commandment (Remember the Sabbath Day) is sin and in transgressing, the wages of sin is death. The only power of God unto salvation is through the lamb of God, who was slain from the foundation of the world. Jesus predestined the whole world be save, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. For Jesus came into this world , not to condemn the world, but the world through him be saved ,John.3 16,17-. The cup of Gods wrath of indignation is about to be poured out upon all who live in transgression and sin, but we have a way of escape through Christ, the King of Righteousness. That is because he took that cup of the wrath of God for us in Gethsemane and Calvary. The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, calls for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God, because they will be mixed with faith and love. {ST, April 18, 1906 par. 5} Jesus said: If ye love me, keep my commandments (John 14:15).

NOTES ON THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

What is the Spirit of Prophesy? "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10. It was Christ that spoke to His people through the prophets. The apostle Peter, writing to the Christian church, says that the prophets "prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow." 1 Peter 1:10, 11. It is the voice of Christ that speaks to us through the Old Testament. "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Revelation 19:10. {PP 366.3} Says Christ, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. (REV. 22:13). The Prophetic Spirit originates in Christ Jesus and reveals past, present, and future through his prophets, his plans concerning our salvation. Jesus said: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me (John 5:39). The whole bible central theme is salvation through Christ, the son of GOD. All the prophets in both Old and New Testament had the testimony of Jesus, the word of GOD, which is the spirit of prophesy! It was written of John in Revelation: that he bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw (Revelation 1:2). The Apostle said, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord..of the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8) I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and [in] all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor. 1: 4-7).

THE PURPOSE OF THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

In every generation God has raised up prophets to make known clearly the plan of salvation. So we see that the spirit of prophecy is in all the revelation of God, from the first verse of Genesis to the last verse of the book of Revelation. Sacred history is prophecy. Since the world began, God has been speaking by the mouth of his holy prophets (Luke 1:70), and it was the prophets that wrote the history. It was the Spirit of Christ that was in the prophets. 1 Peter 1:11. E. J. W. {December 1891 EJW, HOMI 270.1} It was the Spirit of Christ that was in the ancient prophets (2 Peter 1:10, 11), and that same Spirit is to be with his people even unto the end. Consequently we find that "the testimony of

Jesus Christ," which is the spirit of prophecy, is to be found in the last state of the church-the remnant. Rev. 12:17. Paul, also, writing to those who should live at the time of the coming of the Lord, says, "Despise not prophesyings." 1 Thess. 5:20. {February 25, 1889 EJW, SITI 119.3} God has placed in His church the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as enumerated in 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. These gifts, even prophecy operate in harmony with the divine principles of the Bible, and are given for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, the edifying of the body of Christ. Rev. 12:17; 19:10; 1 Cor. 1:5-7. {1931, FB1931 379.5} All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Does God entrust the Remnant Church with the Spirit of Prophecy?
Yes, they keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus (Rev. 12: 17), which is the spirit of prophecy (Rev. 19: 10). And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. (Joel. 2: 28-29). This is a promise for Gods last day church before final judgment. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. We also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29. Acts 2:14-21. Heb. 1:1-3. Rev. 12:17, 19:10.) {1981, FB1981 7.4}

Rev. 12:17; 19:10. The remnant keep the law of God and have the Spirit of prophecy. 1 Cor. 12:28. Prophets in Christian Church. Eph. 4:11, 12. Christ left the gift of prophecy in the church. Ex. 7:1; 4:15, 16. A prophet of the Lord is a spokesman for God.

 1 Peter 1:10, 11; 2 Peter 1:20, 21. The Spirit from the Father and Christ speaks through the prophets. Heb. 1:1, 2. Rev. 1:1. Steps by which revelation comes; 1st , God; 2nd , Christ; 3rd , angel; 4th , the prophet; 5th , given the people. 2 Chron. 36:12; Eze. 3:17; 2 Sam. 23:2. Prophets speak from the mouth of the Lord. Rev. 1:2. These messages are called the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 14:1. The best gift.

Eph. 4:11-14. It brings unity of the faith. Luther and Zwingle were both good men; but there was not unity between them, for there was no leading prophet to give them counsel from God and each followed his own ideas. Joshua 1:2-9. The power of the message is not lessened by the death of the prophet. Acts 2:16-18. Prophets in the last days.

1 Cor. 1:4-8. The Spirit of prophecy confirmed in one gives efficiency, and prepares them for the coming of the Lord. {1919 SNH, BHB 138.4} Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is the author of more than 130 books, many of which have been compiled and published posthumously from her extensive manuscript file. She was a Prophetess of God, and was inspired by God. She exalted Jesus and continually pointed to the Holy Scriptures as the basis for faith. I encourage everyone in the world and of other religious bodies read these by Ellen G. White such as: The Great Controversy, Desire of Ages, Prophets and Kings, Patriarchs and Prophets, Steps to Christ, Christ object lessons, Ministry of Healing, and Messages to Young People. I would also encourage Seventh Day Adventist to read books such as: Testimonies to the Church vol. 1 to vol. 9. You have nothing to lose, but eternity to gain, unto those who search and compare everything to the Holy Scriptures. Test every Spirit to know whether they are from God or Satan. Each Bible writer was later judged to be authoritative because his writings met the test of Isaiah 8:20To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Further, those who read these writings discovered the voice of God speaking to their souls. Truly, one of the primary tests of a prophet is his or her harmony with previous inspired messages.

Bible Tests of a True Prophet

Physical Tests of a True Prophet Num. 12:6. Will have visions. Dan. 10:8. In vision lose their strength. Dan. 10:18. Strengthened by the angel. Dan. 10:17. No breath. Dan. 10:15. Dumb. Dan. 10:16. Lips touched by angel. Dan. 10:16. Speak without breath. Jer. 1:9. God's words in their mouth. 2 Sam. 23:2. God controls their tongue. Num. 24:16. Eyes open in vision. Num. 23:20. Can not reverse the words. 2 Cor. 12:2-4. Unconsciousness of surroundings.

Visions are given in presence of witnesses, who bear testimony to fulfillment of the tests. {1919 SNH, BHB 138.17}

Characteristics of a True Prophet Matt. 24:24. There will be false prophets. 1 John 4:1. Test all prophets. 1 John 4:2, 3. Must confess Christ came in the flesh.

Isa. 8:20. Tested by the law and the testimony. The words of a true prophet will harmonize with the law of God and the testimony of all previous prophets of God. One who

claims to be a prophet may fulfill every other test, but if his instruction is contrary to the Bible and the testimonies, he proves himself to be false. Deut. 13:1-4. Exalt the true God. Deut. 18:21, 22. Words must come true. Deut. 13:1-3. A false prophet's words may come true. Num. 12:6. Will have visions. Dan. 10:7; Acts 9:7, 8. Open or public visions with witnesses present. 1 John 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:16. Witnesses relate what they have seen. 1 Sam. 3:1-10; Dan. 2:19; 7:1. Night visions and dreams. Acts 9:3. A great light encircles them. Acts 10:9, 10; Dan. 9:20-23. Vision given while praying. Ezek. 8:3; Dan. 8:2. Taken to other places while in vision. Matt. 7:15-20. Known by fruits. Jer. 7:13, 25; 25:4. Early risers.

Acts 13:8-11; 2 Chron. 20:14-19. God sometimes speaks through a prophet without a vision. Jer. 23:16. Never flatter. Acts 11:27-30. Warn of danger. Acts 15:1, 2 27-29. Settle doctrinal questions. Acts 16:4, 5. Testimony establishes churches. Acts 16:6-10. Directs the laborers. E.W. 63 2 Kings 8:9-12. Countenance of persons reminds the prophet of what he has seen. 2 Kings. 4:27. Everything is not always revealed. 2 Kings. 5:20-26. Reveal unexpressed desires of the heart. Isa. 38:1-5. Prayers and tears change a testimony. P.K. 340, 341.

Jer. 18:7-10. Principle governing all testimonies. 2 Chron. 21:12, margin. Testimonies written before time for their delivery. 2 Peter 1:20. Every word far-reaching. Isa. 44:26. God confirms the words. E.W. 59.

Jer. 36:32. Never take back their testimony, but rather add to it. . {1919 SNH, BHB 140.9}

TO REJECT GODS PROPHETS AND PROPHETESSES IS TO REJECT JESUS!

I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him. (Deuteronomy. 18: 18-19). Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. (2 KINGS. 17: 13-14). And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. (2 Chronicles. 24: 18-20). Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: That upon you may

come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew. 23: 29-39). HEAR ELLEN G. WHITE: I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ. {1SM 35.6} My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people. I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.--Letter 244, 1906. (Addressed to elders of Battle Creek church.) {1SM 36.2} God is either teaching His church, reproving their wrongs and strengthening their faith, or He is not. This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work . . . bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil. This has been my work for many years. A power has impelled me to reprove and rebuke wrongs that I had not thought of. Is this work from above or from beneath. {CCh 93.2} We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His Word. He has spoken to us through the Testimonies to the church, and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy.--Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 298. (1904) {Ev 260.3 Remember the Spirit of Prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Look into this matter prayerfully.

NOTES ON THE HEALTH MESSAGE

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS OUR GREAT MEDICAL MISSIONARY: Matthew 4:23-25; Matthew 8:1617; Matthew 9:35-36; Matthew 14:13-14; Matthew 15:30-31; Luke 4:17-21; Matthew 11:2-6 Presently wherever we turn we are surrounded by the latest news reports of terrorist threats, natural disasters, global problems etc and now the new buzz word, pandemics. For the student of prophecy however such things should not come as a surprise, for the Bible as well as our counsels from our Churchs end time prophet, Sister Ellen G. White already fore warned us about such impending dangers. Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth. *Luke 21:26 ; Maranatha p25+ I wish to say that the medical missionary work is Gods work. The Lord wants every one of His ministers to come into line. Take hold of the medical missionary work, and it will give you access to the people. Their hearts will be touched as you minister to their necessities. As you relieve their sufferings, you will find opportunity to sp eak to them of the love of Jesus. Counsel on Health 533 We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths. Counsel on Health 425 Gods people are to be genuine medical missionaries. They are to learn to minister to the needs of soul and body. They should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease. Welfare Ministry 127 JESUS commissions us: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20) I can see in the Lords providence that the medical missionary wo rk is to be a great entering wedge, whereby the diseased soul may be reached. Counsels on Diet and Foods, 76.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PHYSICIANS AND DRUGS When you understand physiology in its truest sense, your drug bills will be very much smaller, and finally you will cease to deal out drugs at all. The physician who depends upon drug medication in his practice, shows that he does not understand the delicate machinery of the human organism. He is introducing into the machinery of the system a seed crop that will never lose its destroying properties throughout the lifetime. I tell you this because I dare not withhold it. Christ paid too much for mans redemption to have his body so ruthlessly treated as it has been by drug medication. 2 Selected Message 283-284 Ye [are] all physicians of no value (Job 13:4). To further achieve a healthier constitution, we should eliminate completely alcoholic beverages in any form, coffee, tea, (except herbal tea), soft drinks, tobacco and other damaging drugs. Research has shown that the milder gateway drugs tend to lead progressively to something stronger, so its wise never to start! Even prescribed drugs can be dangerous because of their side effects and potential for addiction, any attempt to use them temperately is very dangerous and hazardous therefore total abstinence is the only sure and best answer. People need to be taught that drugs do not cure disease. Years ago the Lord revealed to me that institutions should be established treating the sick without drugs. Man is Gods property, and the ruin that has been made of the living habitation, the suffering caused by the seeds of death sown in the human system, are an offense to God.Medical Ministry 229

Physicians, by administering their drug poisons, have done very much to increase the depreciation of the race, physically, mentally, and morally. Everywhere you go you will see deformity, disease and imbecility, which in very many cases can be traced directly back to the drug poisons, administered by the hand of a docto r, as a remedy for some of lifes ills. The socalled remedy has fearfully proved itself to the patient by stern suffering experience to be far worse than the disease for which the drug was taken. All who possess common capabilities should understand the wants of their own system.

The philosophy of health should compose one of the important studies for our children. It is all-important that the human organism be understood, and then intelligent men and women can be their own physicians. If the people would reason from cause to effect, and would follow the light which shines upon them, they would pursue a course which would insure health, and mortality would be far less. But the people are too willing to remain in

inexcusable ignorance, and trust their bodies to the doctors, instead of having any special responsibility in the matter themselves.Disease and its Causes, 53-54

HERE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MEN WHO TRUST IN THE WISDOM OF THEIR PHYSICIANS INSTEAD THE WISOM OF GOD And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease [was] exceeding [great]: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 16:12). And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of that plague (Mark 5:25-29).

ONLY ONE WAY HEAVEN APPROVES There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God's remedies are the simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying, yet these remedies are going out of date because their skillful use requires work that the people do not appreciate. Fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean, sweet premises, are within the reach of all with but little expense; but drugs are expensive, both in the outlay of means and the effect produced upon the system. *Counsels on Health, p 323+

GODS PLAN Give ear to His commandments, & keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee Ex 15:26. If man will cherish the light that God in mercy gives him upon health reform, he may be sanctified through the truth, and fitted for immortality. Counsel on Diet and Food 70 Let us now turn our attention to just how the Lord intends for this transformation to take place through His health plan in relations to His 8 natural laws of health referred to as; GODSPLAN; Godly trust, Open air, Daily exercise, Sunshine, Proper rest, Lots of water, Always temperate, & Nutrition. Now lets examine each of these 8 natural doctors and their various applications in the process of health restoration.Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power--these are the true remedies. *Ministry of Healing, p 127+

Dr. Godly Trust

Preserve me, o God: for in thee do I put my trust. Psalm 16:1 We should be reluctant to put our trust in anything other than God. In many cases it is even difficult to trusts many friends and family members. Trust placed in anyone less than Jesus will inevitably lead to immediate or eventual disappointment. Trusting God means to be willing to let Him take care of you. He alone is able to keep you from falling. {Jude 1:24} The Lord says in 3 John 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.. If you genuinely trust in God, He will give you the power you need to overcome habits and addictions that are harmful to you physically and spiritually. It is said about us that when our bodies hurts, that our mind sympathizes and when our mind is affected our body is affected. With such a close mind-body connection it is very important that we have a healthy mental attitude as well as maintain a cheerful disposition with the Lords help. The enemy of souls also understands this close connection as well and often times will literally place depressing thoughts and memories in our mind which can evoke feelings of guilt, despair and hopelessness. If our mind is not stayed upon the Lord and His promises these thoughts could result in feelings that if not under the management of the Holy Spirit, can manifest into depression and even into psychosomatic conditions such as; anxiety, tension headaches, insomnia, hives, ulcers as well as a long list of other symptoms. Now lying at the very heart of these problems again is unbelief which leads to worry, stress and if not addressed properly disease. Today, worrying is recognized as a disease and has been said to be a contributing factor or the underlying cause of many digestive and neurological problems. Regarding its solution, the Lord says: Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ,Phil 4:6-7} Trust in Him, rest in His might, lean upon His love and rejoice in His victory . Our only fight is the good fight of faith-a faith that claims the victory as won through our Lord Jesus Christ, as it is written, "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith ." 1 John 5 :4. So, when we have a trusting relationship with our Creator we tend to have less stress if any at all which is also a leading cause of disease. Stress interferes with digestion, suppresses the immune system as well as restricts every spiritual success. Resting in Jesus is the best tranquilizer as well as disease prevention medicine for:

. It increases endorphins {Prov 17:22;16:24} . Strengthens the immune system. {Isa 40:31} . Stimulates mental blood flow circulation through daily prayer and Bible study.{Ps 50:4} . Reduces and even eliminate stress through claiming His promises. {Jn 14:27} . Encourages a good nights rest after actively ministering to the spiritual & physical needs of others.

Dr. Air
I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live. Ezekiel 37:5 Open air is the current of life, it provides the cells and the blood with oxygen. All nature depends upon air and works to produce it. While men and animals are taking oxygen from the air and giving off carbon dioxide, plants are using the carbon dioxide and giving off oxygen. When man lives close to nature, balance is maintained. Inspiration sates that, Every cell of your body must receive a constant supply of oxygen. In order to have good blood, we must breath well. Full, deep inspirations of pure air, which fill the lungs with oxygen, purify the blood. They impart to it a bright color and send it a life giving current to every part of the body. *Ministry of Healing, p 272+ So the better the circulation of the blood, the better will be the delivery of the oxygen which feeds the cells as well as transfer negative ions that are responsible for stimulating respiration & mental activity. On the other hand, when you breathe stale or polluted air, the supply of oxygen is insufficient to keep the cells strong and healthy. If oxygen is cut off entirely, cells die within a few minutes. Fresh air should be breathed as freely indoors as outdoors. Open your window and if so that pure air can ventilate your home and your lungs. It takes abundant oxygen circulating throughout the body to maintain good health. Take a deep breath through the nostrils while expanding abdomen all the way out, hold for 10 sec count then slowly exhale through mouth with 6-8 reps. 1. Take a few deep breaths when you wake up in the morning and several times during the day. 2. When you feel fatigued, and after sitting for more than 30 minutes, stand up and take time for several, youll find it refreshing.

3. Singing and playing wind instruments are also excellent ways of increasing oxygen exchange and invigorating the entire system.

Dr. Exercise
Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following Luke 13:33 Regular exercise is very important otherwise the body becomes sluggish and bodily functions are greatly impaired and reduced. Daily exercise provides a stronger heart, healthier lungs, increased metabolism, better digestion, and the elimination of a multitude of physical ailments. Action is a law of our being. Every organ of the body has its appointed work, upon the performance of which its development and strength depends. The normal action of all organs gives strength and vigor, while the tendency of disuse is toward decay and death. * Ministry of Healing, p237] Everyone needs some vigorous physical labor every day for there are many benefits it provides. Exercise strengthens the heart decreases blood pressure by lowering the low density lipoprotein (LDL) while increasing the high density lipoprotein (HDL). It also boosts endorphins as a stress reliever, strengthens immunity by increasing white blood cells (WB Cs) thus reducing cancer risk. Aids in healthier skin and in increased energy, digestion and regularity. Some practical forms of exercise are; swimming, mowing the lawn, jogging and walking. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, try to build some walking in to your daily schedule. Walk instead of hopping into your car for short trips. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. And take time for a brisk twenty minute walk before or after breakfast or dinner. Aim for at least 20-30 minutes per session. To be of real value, exercise must be performed at least 3-4 times per week. Gardening - is an excellent form of exercise, which God instituted in the Garden of Eden. When gardening, you get lots of sunshine, and open air. After the completion of your daily gardening exercise, you may be thirsty enough to drink lots of water and sleepy enough to get proper rest. Remember perfect health depends upon perfect circulation; therefore good circulation depends to a large degree upon the muscle tone of the body, and muscle tone is developed by exercise!

Dr. Sunshine
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Matthew 13:43 Human beings, like plants, need adequate sunlight. Sunshine is a powerful agent in fighting disease. It helps to relax tension, produce mental alertness, and improve the complexion (if not overexposed). Physical fitness is increased when exercise is taken outdoors. Life is dependent on the nurturing warmth of the sun. Exposure to sunlight stimulates hormone production and improves liver function. The benefits of it is also necessary for the conversion of cholesterol into Vitamin D which in turns lowers its level. Just 15-30 minutes of daily exposure of the face and arms is enough to stimulate an adequate source of Vitamin D production in the body. The best time for sunbathing is before 10:00 am and after 3:00 pm. Another purpose that the Lord has given to us this radiant agent is for the use of its radiating power against destructive cells in our body which if goes unchecked can become cancerous. Although we are cautioned about too much sunlight exposure causing potential harm to the skin, it is also a fact that concentrated amounts upon the entire body can destroy cancer cells as well. Unlike the harmful and usually deadly practice of chemo & radiation therapy that not only destroy the bad but the good cells as well, the sunlight nukes the bad, enhances circulation and do not leave its receiver with terrible side effects. If there is ever a time that a strong immune system is in order is when there is a known malignancy in the body. Unfortunately with chemical and radiation interventions a very strong burden is placed upon the only real means for combating cancer that same defense system, and the end result for most of their victims is fatal. The Lord offers a less expensive, simpler, and most importantly safer way, in the privacy of your own backyard or home. Sunshine also increases the volume of oxygen in the blood and promotes healing of wounds It is said to be one of the most effective germ killers we know with no side effects. Ultra violet rays are antiseptic - killing bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, molds & mites of all kinds. Our homes should be open to an abundance of sunlight. All rooms, especially sleeping rooms, should be well supplied with natures radiant rays. Also hanging your laundry in the sun not only gives them a fresh clean smell but sterilizes them as well.

Dr. Rest
Come unto me, all ye that are heavy labour and laden , and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Studies have shown that proper rest lengthens your life by 8-10 years. It not only contributes to longevity but is vitally important in the bodys nightly restoration process. Many do not get enough rest simply because they do not have a regular time for it. The body has a built-in clock which is set by the regularity of sleeping hours and meal times. Generally two hours of sleep before midnight equals four hours after. The recommended amount of hours of sleep nightly should be 8 hrs and in order to receive the maximum benefit of this natural tonic, retiring hours should be before 9:30 PM . Get adequate restful sleep! An early, light supper, well before bedtime and no snacking before retiring will help. A relaxing, warm bath or a hot cup of herbal tea can also help you wind down. Regula times for going to bed and awaking is also very important. Avoid using over the counter or Rx sleeping aids for inducing sleep as these are harmful and sleep thus attained, is of little benefit to your body due to the extra burden they place on the neurological & central nervous system. Lack of restful sleep is for many, the root of the enervation that causes disease for healing and cleansing occurs only when the body is in the deep sleep cycle. Because of these factors, regularity of rest is very important. From the foundation of the world, God designated a specific time for special rest. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified It; because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made. ,Genesis 2:2-3} God did not physically sleep, but He took this time to commune with His new children and enjoy His creation as well. Thus, He has commanded us to do likewise in the fourth of His Commandments. (Read Exodus 20). Just as a parent has commands in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children, God also has commands which guarantees protection for all of us and which in turn draws us closer to Him. We may not always understand why or the way our Saviour does things, but never the less through faith and obedience, we will receive a blessing whatever the outcome. You can be rest assured it will be for your good, because Father always knows best. Amen! Lastly, lack of exercise, overworking, worrying, overeating and a stressed mind are among the chief causes of fatigue. A proper mental attitude that is spiritually empowered will contribute to a restful night that truly refreshes as well lead to a more productive day. By incorporating Psalm 50:4 in an early waking pattern you will be ensured a good head start too. It will

become easier to go to bed early and get up early when you do it for awhile and begin to enjoy the way you feel as well.

Dr. Water
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 Without this life giving substance the human body would not be able to function well or survive very long. Our body is between 7080 % water and is needed for their bodily functions such as; nourishment, cleansing, hydration, and physical & mental rejuvenation. Lots of water is needed for optimal function because almost every process in your body depends on the presence of adequate water. It is needed for: digestion, respiration, saliva and tears production, temperature control and lubrication. This vital fluid is continuously being lost in exhaled air, perspiration, and uric waste products. It is also necessary to transport energy to cells and muscles and remove impurities. It helps to produce digestive juices and promotes healthy action of the stomach and intestines and brain cells are particularly sensitive to dehydration. Many people suffer from headaches simply because they do not drink lots of water. The kidneys and digestive organs are especially susceptible to disease if they are deprived of their adequate supply as well. Other sources that water is indirectly found are in drinks such as; teas, juices, soft drinks etc, and foods such as; soups, vegetables, fruits Drink lots of water daily (not artificially flavored or other soft drinks and juices). Your weight divided by 16 (Weight) is the minimum number of 8oz glasses of water to drink daily. For instance, if you weigh 160 lbs, you need to drink a minimum of ten 8oz glasses of water per day. Adequate fluid intake will increase your endurance and energy levels. Get a jump start by squeezing a lemon in 16 oz of room temperature water and drink early in the morning. Not only is water needed for internal cleansing but externally as well. The skin needs to be cleansed frequently from waste material given off through the pores. If this is neglected, the body will reabsorb the toxic waste materials. The external application of water is one of the easiest and most satisfactory ways of regulating the circulation of the blood. A daily contrast shower or bathe ending with 30 secs -1 min cold using a bath brush or rough washcloth will not only enhance circulation and your immune sys, but removes toxins as well. Foot baths and steam baths are also good for this purpose and when skillfully used, these procedures greatly assists the body in recovering from disease. So we can see now why in the Bible, water is referred to so interchangeably from physical to spiritual illustrations thus implying

how important drinking and using both the physical and the spiritual water is to the Lord. {Isa 55:1}

Dr. Temperate
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things 1Corin thians 9:25 In the Great Medical Book, the Bible and in the Spirit of Prophecy are found example after example regarding self controls connection with temperance. Our Creator whose intention it is to inhabit His living temples, have left us sound-proof advice & answers for every problem that we may encounter between the pages of His inspired counsels. Case in point the honey principle which cautions us with,Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Proverbs 5:16 tells us to be temperate or use in moderation that which is good and practice total abstemiousness from that which is bad and harmful. Counsel also shares with us the following; The great end for which Christ endured that long fast in the wilderness was to teach us the necessity of self-denial and temperance. This work should commence at our tables and should be strictly carried out in all the concerns of life. The Redeemer of the world came from heaven to help man in his weakness, that, in the power which Jesus came to bring him, he might become strong to overcome appetite and passion and might be victor on every point. If the moral sensibilities of Christians were aroused upon the subject of temperance in all things, they could, by their example, commencing at their tables, help those who are weak in self-control, who are almost powerless to resist the cravings of appetite. If we could realize that the habits we form in this life be the means of saving many souls from the degradation of intemperance, crime, and death. *Counsels on Health, pps 125-126] To further achieve a healthier constitution, we should eliminate completely alcoholic beverages in any form, coffee, tea, (except herbal tea), soft drinks, tobacco and other damaging drugs. Research has shown that the milder gateway drugs tend to lead progressively to something stronger, so its wise never to start! Even prescribed drugs can be dangerous because of their side effects and potential for addiction. Drugs sold on the street are so toxic, that taking them is like committing suicide. Since legal stimulants such as; tobacco, alcohol as well as illicit ones such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine are physiologically addictive, any attempt to use them temperately is very unrealistic and hazardous therefore total abstinence is the only sure and best answer.

Again this same principle regarding gate way stimulants is further supported by the following statement from Counsel, If men would become temperate in all things, if they wo uld touch not, taste not, handle not, tea, coffee, tobacco, wines, opium, and alcoholic drinks, reason would take the reins of government in her own hands, and hold the appetites and passions under control. *Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene p36+ Besides caffeinated products producing cravings for stronger stimulants, have you also considered your food to be an unnatural stimulant as well? It was said that, We press the subject still closer. Tea and coffeeare fostering the appetite for stronger stimulants. And then we come still closer home, to the preparation of food, and ask, Is temperance practiced in all things? Are the reforms which are essential to health and happiness carried out here? [Christian Education, p 181] This should also apply to other unhealthful stimulants such as, condiments, rich desserts and sauces, flesh meats due to the following reasons cited by the following statement; Men and women, by indulging the appetite in eating rich and highly-seasoned foods, especially fleshmeats, with rich gravies, and by using stimulating drinks, as tea and coffee, create unnatural appetites. The system becomes fevered, the organs of digestion become injured, the mental faculties are beclouded, while the baser passions are excited, and predominate over the nobler faculties. The appetite becomes more unnatural, and more difficult of restraint. The circulation of the blood is not equalized, and becomes impure. The whole system is deranged, and the demands of appetite become more unreasonable, craving exciting, hurtful things, until it is thoroughly depraved. *2Selected Messages, p420+ So we see good health requires temperance and wise choices in all aspects of life. Overeating, over-playing, over-working, and over-indulgence of the marriage privilege can all contribute to poor health as well (esp male prostate probs). Also avoiding an overworked digestive system, food should be eaten at the same time each day with four to five hours between meals. Eating even one bite of food between meals will disrupt digestion. A good way to regulate your appetite is to eat breakfast like a king (heaviest meal), lunch like a prince (lighter meal) and supper as a pauper (lightest meal). Lastly; exercise, healthy food, and fresh air, offer natural stimulation for the body. Sunlight, water, rest and trust in God are soothing relaxants without the threat of addiction. Youll delight in these and many other natural highs that last longer than drugs and without any potential negative consequences. Freshly fruit juices and smoothies are delicious and refreshing beverages that are far superior to alcohol or sodas. Many caffeine-free herb teas can nicely replace those with harmful stimulants and substitutes such as Postum or Roma wouldnt unsettle your nerves or keep you awake at night like caffeine. By surrendering your

appetite to the Lord, He will give you overcoming power and strength which will enable you to be temperate in that which is good and abstemious from that which is not.

Dr. Nutrition
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Gen 1:29 In the beginning when God created man He advised them as to the best nutrition designed to keep their bodies in the best of health. To ensure a healthy lifestyle He chose the Gen 1:29 diet, And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. Gods original plant-based diet which consist of fruits, nuts, and grains and later added vegetables as a supplemental measure.{Gen 3:18} Today this is still the healthiest and best diet plan with its life giving properties of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and nutrients is still the best more than 6,000 years later, science is proving it, and common sense tells us it is so. When we feed on flesh, the juices of what we eat pass into the circulation. A feverish condition is created, because the animals are diseased, and by partaking of their flesh we plant the seeds of disease in our own tissue and blood. Then, when exposed to the changes of a malarious atmosphere, to prevailing epidemics and contagious diseases, these are more sensibly felt, for the system is not in a condition to resist disease. Because those who partake of animal food do not immediately feel its effects, is no evidence that it does not injure them. It may be doing its work surely upon the system, and yet the persons for the time being realize nothing of it. The liability to take disease is increased tenfold by meat eating. The practice of eating largely of meat is causing diseases of all kinds,--cancers, tumors, scrofula, tuberculosis, and other like affections. {HL 100.4} When God created the first family they were perfect in all spheres in Ps 139:14 this process of the Lords masterpiece was described by the Psalmist as the following: I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

THE HEALTH MESSAGE IS THE RIGHT ARM OF THE GOSPEL

Disease never comes without a cause, the way is first prepared, and then disease is invited by disregarding the laws of health. *Healthful Living, p60] If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. ,Ex 15:26Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God. Every city is to be entered by workers trained to do medical missionary work. As the right hand of the third angels message, Gods methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.7 Testimonies, 59. As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. And those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere. There will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who will need help, not only among those of our own faith, but largely among those who know not the truth. The shortness of time demands an energy that has not been aroused among those who claim to believe the p resent truth.Counsels on Health, 506. The ambassadors of Christ, those to whom have been committed the living oracles of God, can be doubly useful if they know how to help the sick. A practical knowledge of health reform will better qualify men and women to proclaim the message of mercy and retribution to the world. {RH, January 14, 1902 par. 8} We need to be interested in the people in regard to their needs, because our Lord Jesus said: Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. (Matthew 25:45). The truth for this time, the third angels message, is to be proclaimed with a loud voice as we approach the great final test. [The Sabbath vs Sunday] This test must come to the churches in connection with true medical missionary work. We are told that in time of trouble there will be sick ones, plenty of them, that will need help so because of the need, but also for their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in

regard to disease, its causes, prevention and cure, and those who will do this will find a field of labor anywhere. *Counsels on Health, p506+

HEALTH AND TESTIMONIES IN DRESS REFORM I counsel thee to buy of me...white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear Rev 3:18. Our words, our actions, and our dress are daily, living preachers, gathering with Christ or scattering abroad. This is no trivial matter. Turn away from the fashion plates, and study the human organism. In dress we should seek that which is simple, comfortable, convenient, and appropriate. {HL 118} In all respects the dress should be healthful. "Above all things, God desires us to "be in health" health of body and of soul. And we are to be workers together with Him for the health of both soul and body. Both are promoted by healthful dress. It should have the grace, the beauty, the blessing of natural simplicity. Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty. He pointed to the flowers of the field, to the lily unfolding in its purity, and said, "Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Matthew 6:29. Thus by the things of nature Christ illustrates the beauty that heaven values, the modest grace, the simplicity, the purity, the appropriateness, that would make our attire pleasing to Him. Mental and Moral Influence of Dress. The sum and substance of true religion is to own and continually acknowledge by words, by dress, by deportment, our relationship to God. Perhaps no question has ever come up among us which has caused such development of character as has the dress reform. Simplicity of dress will make a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. We judge of a person's character by the style of dress worn. Gaudy apparel displays vanity and weakness. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire {HL 120.2}. There is no need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There is something richer to speak of. Talk of Christ; and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the word of God will drop off. . {HL 121.1} The most beautiful dress He bids us wear upon the soul. No outward adorning can compare in value or loveliness with that "meek and quiet spirit" which in His sight is "of great price." 1 Peter 3:4.

Influence of Dress upon the Body. The limbs, being remote from the center of circulation, demand greater protection, instead of less. The veins which convey the blood to the extremities are large, providing for the flow of a sufficient quantity of blood to afford warmth and nutrition. But when the blood is chilled from these parts, the veins contract, and the circulation is retarded. Not only do the extremities suffer from cold, but through lack of nutrition the limbs do not attain their natural development. A good circulation purifies the blood, and secures health; while a poor circulation renders the blood impure, and induces congestion of the vital organs. *Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p91]

Dress reform . . . includes every article of dress upon the person. It lifts the weights from the hips by suspending the skirts from the shoulders. It removes the tight corsets, which compress the lungs, the stomach, and other internal organs, and induce curvature of the spine and an almost countless train of diseases. Dress reform proper provides for the protection and development of every part of the body. {HL 122.1} By modesty in dress & circumspect deportment they may bear witness to the truth in its simplicity. They may let their light so shine before all that others will see their good works and glorify their Father which is in heaven. *Daughters of God, p150 +

In Dress There Should Be A Clear Distinction Between The Sexes The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. Duet 22:5 There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress & appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. ,1 Tim 2:9God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men & women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. [Child Guidance, p427].

Fashion Is a Tyrannical Ruler.

Satan, the instigator and prime mover in the ever-changing, never-satisfying decrees of fashion, is always busy devising something new that shall prove an injury to physical and moral health; and he triumphs that his devices succeed so well. Death laughs that the healthdestroying folly and blind zeal of the worshipers at fashion's shrine bring them so easily under his dominion. Happiness and the favor of God are laid upon her altar. The idolatry of dress is a moral disease. It must not be taken over into the new life. In most cases submission to the gospel requirements will demand a decided change in the dress. {CG 432.3} The Price Some Pay.--How contrary to the principles given in the Scriptures are many of the modes of dress that fashion prescribes! Think of the styles that have prevailed for the last few hundreds of years or even for the last few decades. How many . . . would be pronounced inappropriate for a refined, God-fearing, self-respecting woman. . . . Many a poor girl, for the sake of a stylish gown, has deprived herself of warm underwear and paid the penalty with her life. Many another, coveting the display and elegance of the rich, has been enticed into paths of dishonesty and shame. Many a home is deprived of comforts, many a man is driven to embezzlement or bankruptcy, to satisfy the extravagant demands of the wife or children. Salvation Imperiled by Idolatry of Dress.--Pride and vanity are manifested everywhere; but those who are inclined to look into the mirror to admire themselves will have little inclination to look into the law of God, the great moral mirror. This idolatry of dress destroys all that is humble, meek, and lovely in character. It consumes the precious hours that should be devoted to meditation, to searching the heart, to the prayerful study of God's Word. . . . No Christian can conform to the demoralizing fashions of the world without imperiling his soul's salvation. {CG 433.2} Love of Display Demoralizes the Home.--Aided by the grace of Christ, women are capable of doing a great and grand work. For this reason Satan works with his devices to invent fashionable dress, that love of display may so absorb the mind and heart and affection of even professed Christian mothers in this age, that they have no time to give to the education and training of their children or to the cultivation of their own minds and characters, that they may be examples to their children, patterns of good works. When Satan secures the time and affections of the mother, he is fully aware of how much he has gained. In nine cases out of ten he has secured the devotion of the whole family to dress and frivolous display. He reckons the children as among his spoils, for he has captivated the mother. Little children hear more of dress than of their salvation, . . . for the mother is more familiar with fashion than with her Saviour. Parents and children are robbed of that which is best and sweetest and truest in life. For fashion's sake they are cheated out of a preparation for the life to come. {CG 434.2}

COUNSEL FROM THE TRUE WITNESS TO THE LAODICEAN CHURCH

There is a dress which every child & youth may innocently seek to obtain. It is the righteousness of the saints. If they will only be as willing and persevering in obtaining this as they are in fashioning their garments after the standard of worldly society, they will very soon be clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and their names will not be blotted out of the book of life. Mothers, as well as youth and children, need to pray, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." [Psalm 51:10.] This purity of heart and loveliness of spirit are more precious than gold, both for time and for eternity. Only the pure in heart shall see God. Then, mothers, teach your children, line upon line and precept upon precept, that the righteousness of Christ is the only dress in which they can be admitted into heaven, and that robed in this apparel they will be constantly doing duties in this life which will glorify God. [ Child Guidance pp 417-418 ]

God will bring His work closer and closer to test and prove every one of His people.' Some are willing to receive one point, but when God brings them to another testing point, they shrink from it and stand back, because they find that it strikes directly at some cherished idol. Here they have opportunity to see what is in their hearts that shuts out Jesus. They prize something higher than the truth, and their hearts are not prepared to receive Jesus. Individuals are tested and proved a length of time to see if they will sacrifice their idols and heed the counsel of the True Witness. If any will not be purified through obeying the truth, and overcome their selfishness, their pride, and evil passions, the angels of God have the charge: "They are joined to their idols, let them alone," and they pass on to their work, leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued, to the control of evil angels. Those who come up to every point, and stand every test, and overcome, be the price what it may, have heeded the counsel of the True Witness, and they will receive the latter rain, and thus be fitted for translation. *1Testimonies, p187+