Consider the moon & stars

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 8:3,4

Forbidden Paths

"As in the days of the apostles men tried by tradition and philosophy to destroy faith in the scriptures, so today, by the pleasing sentiments of higher criticism, evolution, spiritualism, theosophy,  and pantheism, the enemy of righteousness is seking to lead souls into forbidden paths." Acts of the Apostles p. 474 E.G.W.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:13

Spiritual Discernment

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
"If you remain apart from the holy influences that come from God, how can you discern spiritual things?" Testimonies for the Church vol. 7, p.189 E.G.W.

Witchcraft & Rebellion

1) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and

2) stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1Samuel 15:23

The 2 Opposing Influences within the Church

There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God. Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, p. 46 E.G.W.

This is what we see in the SDA Church today as certain people push for:

Celebration Services

Ordination of Women

Political Activism

New Theology

Ecumenical/Inter-Faith

Evolution

Denial of the Sanctuary

Church Growth Movement

Emerging Church Movement

But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock. Job 30:1

ALL

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23

God is Watching for Something

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Psalm 53:2

The Restrainer

Who is this one who reatrains the anti-Christ or "man-of-sin" in the days of Paul?
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2 Thessalonians 2:6,7
1) He had already told them who it was- Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 2 Thessalonians 2:5
2) They knew what it was- And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 2 Thessalonians 2:6
3) But there was some reason Paul didn't put it in writing.......
Early Church fathers such as Tertullian, Jerome, Augustine, Chrysostom & Irenaeus all told us it was the power of the Roman Empire.
This would make sense. Also, since the Little Horn of Daniel is seen to be the anti-Christ, (Papal Rome), he didn't rise until after the fall of the Roman Empire, when there was no one to restrain his lust for power.
Remember this "man-of-sin"/anti-Christ/Little Horn of Daniel/ Beast of Revelation power , once unleashed, would last until the end of time- And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:8

Death: A result of time or sin?

Atheists believe that death comes as a result of time.
Christians believe death comes as a reslt of sin.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26

Our Cry

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:6

Montanists/the first Charismatic/Pentecostal movement

The modern charismatic-Pentecostal movement, which engages in ecstatic outbreaks and glossolia (the fake "speaking-in-tongues", rather than the Biblical xenolalia, which was speaking foriegn languages) had a forerunner in the Montanists of the 2nd century A.D.
They were started by Montanus in Phrygia around 137 A.D. He had 2 female assistants named Prisca and Maximilla. Their ecstatic outbreaks was also referred to among Christians as the New Prophecy Movement. Eusebius described it this way--- "And he [Montanus] became beside himself, and being suddenly in a sort of frenzy and ecstasy, he raved, and began to babble and utter strange things, prophesying in a manner contrary to the constant custom of the Church handed down by tradition from the beginning."
Montanism eventually was declared heresy and divided Christianity. It finally faded away in the 500's. Bishop of Rome (Pope) Victor I was somewhat sympathetic at first to the movement. They ordained female Bishops & Elders. They also believed that prophets could forgive sins. They also used a book called the Testament of Job which was a mystical re-writing of the Biblical book of Job.
So the heresy of the modern charismatic movement is nothing new...
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. Matthew 24:11

Many Books

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 12:12

Day of the Dead in Mexico

The Day of the Dead in Mexico traces back to the celebration around the Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl. She was the Queen of Mitclan, the underworld. She was thought to have been sacrificed as an infant. In Mexican culture the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 & 2. On the 1st, they honor children and infants, and that day is sometimes referred to as the Day of the Innocents. On the 2nd they honor dead adults. Sometimes they build altars in the cemeteries of their dead ancestors. They also use the Flowers of the Dead to get their attention. The holiday symbol is a skull, sometimes with a mask.

But what does the Bible say about this?
The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. Psalm 115:17 The dead are dead....

As His Salvation Draws Near-Keep From Polluting His Sabbath

Thus saith the LORD,
 Keep ye judgment, and do justice:
  for my salvation is near to come,
   and my righteousness to be revealed.
Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it;
 that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it,

  and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Isaiah 56:1,2

A Word from God

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9

A "Behind-the-Scenes" Look at How God uses His Angels to Guide History

As Gabriel returns to Daniel to finish explaining some things, he also explains what was holding him up...
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10:13

His Word will go forth

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Revelation 14:6
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:10,11

Sanctification & the Judgement seat of God

In the outer court of the Sanctuary is Justification. In the inner court was Sanctification. Repentance requires both-asking forgiveness (Justified) and changing your ways (Sanctified). Then in the Most Holy place was the Judgement scene, where GOD judges you from His Mercy Seat.
*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

Don't let the moment pass

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

Sarsechim (Nabu-sharrussu-ukin)

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. Jeremiah 39:3
While deciphering through the 130,000 Assyrian tablets in the British Museum, it was discovered that Sarsechim mentioned in the book of Jeremiah really existed. One more historical detail matched to Scripture. In the Assyrian tablet he is spelled Nabu-sharrussu-ukin. In Hebrew Sarsechim. Below is the interpretation of the actual Assyrian comments:
1.5 minas of gold, the property of Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, the chief eunuch, which he sent via Arad-Banitu the eunuch to [the temple] Esangila: Arad-Banitu has delivered to Esangila. In the presence of Bel-usat, son of Alpaya, the royal bodyguard, [and of] Nadin, son of Marduk-zer-ibni. Month XI, day 18, year 10 [of] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon.²

Can the leopard change his spots?

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jeremiah 13:23

SNOW

For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; Job 37:6

Four views of the Lord's Supper (Communion) stem from the Reformation

Christ Implemented:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:26-28
Paul's Comments:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26
1) Transubstantiation/Real Presence{CATHOLIC}- The bread & wine (grape juice) literally turns into the body & blood of christ when it enters your mouth. --Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, some Anglican/Episcoplian
2) Consubstantiation/Sacramental Union {LUTHER}- Christ's presence is alongside the bread & wine, but not literally in it. -- Lutherans/Some Anglican/Episcopalians
3) Instrumental/Real Spiritual Presence{CALVIN}- We are spiritually taken to heaven during Lord's Supper as an extension of our union from the sacrament of baptism. -- Reformed, Presbyterian
4) Symbolic/Memorial{ZWINGLI}- Simply a symbolic ritual to remember Christ's sacrifice for us. -- Evangelical Churches, non-denominational churches, Baptists, Pentacostals, many other denominations.
**Quakers don't practice the Lord's Supper
**Mormons use water rather than wine (grape juice) during the Communion service
**Jehovah Witnesses call it the Memorial Supper and celebrate it once a year. Only the "144,000" can participate. The remainder of Jehovah Witnesses are excluded from the bread and wine.

Chastening of the Lord

My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Proverbs 3:11,12

Solomon's Songs

The song of songs, which is Solomon's. Song of Solomon 1:1

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: Song of Solomon 1:15,16

Beware the Emerging Church (New Age backdoor to the Church)

Four Problems with the "Emerging Church" Movement:
1) Pluralism (Your Truth is as valid as my Truth).
2) Pragmatism (What works rather than the purity of Truth)
3) Cafeteria Religion (Religion is now based upon style & taste)
4) Morality (Reduced to what one wants or likes)
"I have seen the results of these fanciful views of God, in apostasy, spiritualism, and free-lovism. The free love tendency of these teachings was so concealed that at first it was difficult to make plain its real character. Until the Lord presented it to me, I knew not what to call it, but I was instructed to call it unholy spiritual love." Testimonies for the Church vol.8,p.292 E.G.W.

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? Jeremiah 2:13,18

State of the dead and the last 5 words of Genesis

In Scripture, Egypt is used to represent the secular world. The Bible opens with man in paradise seeing God in the cool of the day- And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: Genesis 3:8The book of Genesis ends with these 5 words.....
.............in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:26
Only God can save us from our coffin in Egypt.
But we can once again be restored to our state of face to face with God one day....
     I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
     But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. 3 John 1:4,14

Chinese Taoism and the Dead

In Chinese Taoism, although known more as a philosphical worldview than a religion, it does contain belief in gods, ghosts and ancestral spirits.
The "gods" are good and help the side of good on earth.
The ghosts are bad and need to be appeased through either sacrifices or name control. Especially during the Chinese ghost festival.
The ancestral spirits are honored by rituals. They trace through the male ancestral line.
But what does God say about the dead?

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. 1 Corinthians 15:52

The Carnal Mind and the Law of God

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:7

As the 19th century British preacher Charles Spurgeon once said "He whose garments are the whitest, will best perceive the spots upon them."

Buddhist Prayer Wheel vs. Christian Prayer

One does not need to "spin" a buddhist prayer wheel for prayer. For the God of Heaven hears our prayers that we pray and His Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf for what we can't put into words that is in our hearts as we pray.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

A False Belief of Hinduism

"When you hear about the Self, meditate upon the Self,
and finally realize the Self...

you come to understand everything in life."
--Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5

But what does God say?
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. John 5:30

Heart & Mind

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord;
  I will put my laws into their mind,
  and write them in their hearts:
    and I will be to them a God,
    and they shall be to me a people: Hebrews 8:10

Be careful

"The less spiritual, self-denying, and humiliating the doctrines presented, the greater the favor with which they are recieved. These persons degrade the intellectual powers to serve their carnal desires. Too wise in their own conceit to search the scriptures......they have no shield from delusion." The Great Controversy p.523 E.G.W.
Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. Hebrews 13:9

Thy Law

I delight to do thy will, O my God:

yea, thy law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8

Our Human State

For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Psalm 40:12

As in the Days of Noah

And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. Luke 17:26
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

Every Nation, Tongue, Kindred & People

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Revelation 14:6

The Sanctuary and the close of probation

In Revelation-at the close of probation, one can see the outlay of the Sanctuary. In the outer court was Justification-made righteous by the blood. And in the inner court was Sanctification-a changed life. So in Revelation 22 these are the people who have been Justified/made righteous and Sanctified/become Holy and passed their Judgement Day.
The layout in the Sanctuary is to become Justified (Outer Court), Sanctified (Inner Court)-to be prepared for your Judgement Day (Most Holy Place).
.........and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: (JUSTIFICATION)

and he that is holy, let him be holy still. (SANCTIFICATION) Revelation 22:11

SIN

The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:20
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Romans 6:15
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:7,12
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Paul 102 is in Session

@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? Romans 6:1,2
@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. Romans 6:3,4
@What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Romans 6:21

Paul 101 is in session

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world,
and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one;
much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners,
so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19

Linked together

"The past, present, and future are linked together. We must learn lessons from the experiences of other ages." Review & Herald 7/23/1895 E.G.W.

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Colossians 1:26

Men of action are needed

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8

"Men of action are needed-men who will labor with earnest energy for the purification of the church and the warning of the world." Testimonies for the Church vol.5, p.187 E.G.W.

Who will bear the Light?

"A world perishing in sin, is to be enlightened. The lost sheep is to be brought back in safety to the fold. Who will join in the search? Who will bear the light to those who are wandering in the darkness of error?" Review & Herald 7/23/1895 E.G.W.
A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psalm 22:30,31

Praise Him

Praise ye the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary:
praise him in the firmament of his power.
     Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:

     praise him with the psaltery and harp. Psalm 150:1,3
    
 

"Let me die with the Philistines"

The saddest position one can be in is that of Samson. To be one who truly believes in God and yet prefers the world. It was the cry of Samson to God that was so sad- And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Judges 16:30

Infidels & the Word of God

"Begining at Genesis, they give up that which they deem questionable, and their minds lead on, for satan will lead to any length they may follow in their criticism,..." Selected Messages vol.1,p.18 E.G.W.
Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:18

In the Image of God

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: Genesis 1:26
Some people today look in the mirror and see someone created in the image and likeness of God. And some see the latest offshoot of a monkey.

"The Lord did not make man to be redeemed, but to bear His image. But through sin man lost the image of God." Selected Messages vol. 3,p.134 E.G.W.

The Godhead

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; Isaiah 61:1
The SPIRIT of GOD was upon HIM (Christ)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Luke 4:18

Modalism/Sabellianism

The false doctrine of Modalism is the belief that God appears in 3 different Modes or manifestations over time.
1) God the FATHER in the Old Testament
2) God the SON in the Gospels
3) God the SPIRIT since Pentacost
But God has always been the Father, Son and Spirit: Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Isaiah 42:1