It’s Lawful To Do Well On The Sabbath Sabbath afternoon 10/17/2026

Matthew 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Mark 3:1 And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand.

2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.

3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.

4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Luke 6: 6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and aught: and there was a man whose right hand was

withered.

7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

These particular passages have been interpreted or in some cases, misinterpreted to mean that which God never intended, and now is the time that the truth in the matter has to be made plain, because the Sabbath will be the great point of controversy, during the final conflict.

As we stated in two previous studies, the prince of darkness is currently preparing a major assault on the Remnant people of God, using those opening passages to confuse many minds, and minimize or eliminate the sacredness of the Sabbath.

And, if persons are not rooted, and grounded in the Living Word, and the written word, they could, and would be swept off their feet with those logical and user-friendly misinterpretations the devil specializes in. In our day as in the days of Christ he employs the Bible to bring in his fanciful misinterpretations.

We haven’t begun the Bible study as yet, and we are already in trouble. According to the various secular and Greek renditions, the words Good/Well can be interpreted to mean almost anything. Something that is beneficial to the human family will fall under the banner of Good/Well.

So, because of this, the study for today will be clear cut, as to what The Lord requires of us, as it pertains to the keeping of the Sabbath. Because the theory of evolution, and science in general have dismissed God from the human equation, it is of very critical importance, that the Remnant get this one right.

And, because of this those who are now tasked with repairing the breach of the 4th commandment, must not themselves be found making new breaches. And they must have an intelligent knowledge of what is at stake, while at the same time, practicing the truth given as the last call to earth’s inhabitants.

The words Well/Good can mean a number of things depending on whether the persons in question are sincerely seeking to please the Lord or whether they are looking for loopholes to avoid rendering to God, the things which are God’s.

God is a Spirit, and the motives and deep purposes of the heart are brought into the equation when He has to evaluate our actions. In the very same Bible, you will read of apparently conflicting passages, but when they are studied line upon line, precept upon precept, the beauty, and harmony of the Bible will be made manifest.

We are not to bring any private interpretation to the study of God’s word, instead, we are to let the Bible speak authoritatively for itself, correcting instructing and guiding us as the case may warrant.

 Even if you may not like the Biblical interpretation or it might rub you the wrong way, it’s better to leave it alone intact, instead of twisting and turning it to suit our various preferences. Let’s read:

2nd Peter 1:19 We have also a more-sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts.

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

To Do Well / To Do Good, come from the root word: ἀγαθοποιέω (agathopoieó): It is a compound word meaning "to do good", or "to show oneself as beneficent", or "to do well and do right"

Strong’s commentary gives this rendition of Good/ Well: (Rightly): καλῶς (kalos / kalōs) – Strong's G2573. An adverb meaning "well," "rightly," "honorably," or "in a fine or noble manner" (It is often paired with the word poiein or used to describe doing good deeds).

So, what falls under the umbrella of being good and well? A cursory reading of the passages could lead a person to go away thinking that those words could be interpreted to mean just about anything that is good. Think about it for a moment! There are a lot of things that can converge under those two words, Good and Well.

Let’s take a few “Goods” and a few “Wells” from the Bible as we begin a deep dive into the passages. Let’s read:

Ruth 2: 21 And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, you shall keep close by my young men until they have ended all my harvest.

22 And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

23 So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother-in law.

This was something good, noble and necessary that Ruth was doing, because herself and her mother-in law, Naomi had fallen on hard times, so she went to the harvests of Boaz to find some food. Should she, in her desperation continue to reap over the sacred hours of the Sabbath seeing that she was doing that which is inherently good?

Would the saying of Christ, about doing well on the Sabbath, make allowance for her? All she was doing was trying to work for her daily bread, something that is good, and actually enjoined in the Scriptures. Let’s read:

2nd Thessalonians 3: 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Ruth was not walking disorderly at all. She did not stay at home, praying for some miracle to bring her food out of the thin air. Instead, she manifested the diligence and industry enjoined in Thessalonians 3 by making well directed efforts to provide for their needs.

Now, seeing that the Bible says that working for our daily bread is good, would that then fall under the umbrella of doing Good/Well on the Sabbath day. If for instance your job may require you to work extra hours, because of staffing shortages, is that good or well according to our opening passages?

Now brethren, it is very important that we observe the context carefully before we proceed, because in two of the opening passages, Jesus used the phrase: “To save life”. Thus, the logical question is what type of jobs fall into that category? Let’s read:

Mark 3: 4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.

Some may argue that Christ was referring to things which are essential to the well-being of man, and that might be true to a certain extent, but the truth is that almost every job we know of can be made to fall into that category, some more, some less.

For instance, those who work in the medical field are directly involved in saving life, but there many other lines of work which are associated with the administration of medicines, either directly, or in some cases indirectly. We are referring directly to the support systems that are related to the medical field. Let’s read:

Mark 2:3 And they came unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

In our day, it’s very unlikely that you would ever see something like this, because persons who are tasked with bringing the sick usually use ambulances.

There are pharmacies, the ambulance drivers, the billing department, the ones who take care of the garbage, because all medical facilities must be kept clean at all times. Then there are the security guards who protect the facilities, and the mechanics who repair the elevators and ambulances.

Now, if for some unknown reason, one of those old ambulances were to shut down on the road the tow truck driver would also have to be called out to do a good work, and when Tripple AAA finally brings it back to the shop, those folks who work at Car Shield may have to come out to inspect the damage before they order the repairs.

And if they do, the salespersons at Advance Auto Parts or Napa, would also be doing a good work, by providing the needed parts for the repair, since the ambulance has to be back on the road as soon as possible, in order to save life.

Remember, the four men who brought the sick man are being replaced with what is considered normal, and necessary, to bring sick persons to the medical facility. I guess the gas stations may get a pass too, if the ambulances use diesel, because the supporting systems for “Bringing” could be indirectly tied to the Good/Well we read of in our opening passages.

And we are just touching the tip of the iceberg, for there are lots of other essential services, and jobs just waiting in the wings to join the line, under the umbrella of Good/Well. There are cooks, caterers, janitors, and laundry personnel.

There are electricians who may be called out to do a good work, for individuals and facilities which have lost power, there are mechanics who might also be called upon to do a good work over the Sabbath, to help fix a car that has shut down on the I95.

Then there are pilots and flight attendants and folks who refuel the jets, and other persons, whose job description is to make sure that passengers are safe to travel, such as your air traffic controllers, who by extension are indirectly involved in saving life.

Then there are TSA workers, who do screening, to prevent another 9/11 and there are roofers who may be called out to fix a leaking roof at a Nursing Home or an assisted living facility.

Then there is law enforcement, and firefighters and water purification specialists who monitor the water we drink, to make sure it is not contaminated with algae and sewage, as is so often the case in Broward County. All of these are good, and they contribute in some measure to the well-being of man.

And we haven’t even touched on the issue of your education, because it is good for persons to get an education no doubt, therefore, if you are doing your Bachelor’s, or your Master’s, and your classes were to fall over the sacred hours, will you also get a pass, under the words Good/Well, and if so, should folks attend?

Some years ago, we forgot to pay our electric bill on time, and we only remembered afterward that the cutoff date was on the Sabbath since the final notice had gone out. Should we then pay it on the Sabbath to avoid being disconnected, knowing that if we did not, the air conditioning would not work.

In addition, we would have to pay a reconnection fee? After all, I think we could also force it into the category of doing something good or well.

One passage in the Scripture goes like this: Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper, and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

Therefore, the Christian being in good health is a good thing no doubt, so, could I then book a Zumba class at L.A Fitness, with a clear conscience or can I go train at some gym before I come to church? After all, it’s something Good/Well.

Thus, if we were to paint those words, Good/ Well with a broad brush, we will encompass almost every known job on the planet, that is inherently good, or that is directly, or indirectly tethered to saving life. The question is, where will it end?

Therefore, without the word of God, and the Holy Ghost to guide us, every person listening today will find an equal place under those cryptic words: It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath.

This is the reason why The Lord is letting us know that the prince of darkness is preparing a massive assault for persons who haven’t understood what Christ is saying when He declares: It is lawful to do Good/Well on the Sabbath day. Let’s read:

[2SP pp 87] Satan is a diligent student of the Bible, and much better acquainted with the prophecies than many religious teachers. He has ever kept well-informed concerning the revealed purposes of God, that he might defeat the plans of the Infinite.

[Testimonies Vol. 5, pp 707] I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they believe.

When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason.

And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness.

When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth.

As was stated previously in another Bible study, the prince of darkness is preparing a major assault on Sabbath keepers, using our opening passages, for he is coming fully armed with the Scripture as he often does.

And, the issues being presented this evening are not farfetched by any means for they have already taken place, and will resurface with a vengeance when the mark of the beast and the issue of true worship take center stage across the entire globe. Let’s read:

[4LTMS, MS 27, 1885] Elder Matteson has not given to our people a correct example. He has sent his children to school upon the Sabbath, and to justify his course has used the words of Christ, “It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.” [Matthew 12:12.]

He may urge the same reason why men should work on the Sabbath, because they must earn bread to feed their children; and there is no boundary line to tell what should and should not be done upon the Sabbath.

So, what does God say in the matter, and how could we honor Him by an intelligent understanding, and expression of our faith? Remember, Revelation 13 & 14 deal expressly with the issue of worship and thus the Sabbath keeping Christian in our day must have clear, concise views on Sabbath keeping, in order to avoid a Bible wielding devil. Let’s read:

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13 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, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14 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.

Exodus 20: 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

[P&P pp 307] Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided.

Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character.

Let’s say the dealership called me for work over the Sabbath, because of an emergency with a customer and I answered my phone telling them that I cannot work over the sacred hours, but then I told them I would be there, first thing Monday morning, I would have laid plans during the Sabbath, and according to the prophet of God, I actually did the transaction on the Sabbath. Let’s read:

[Test. Vol. 6 pp 355] On Friday, let preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all the cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked and the baths be taken.

The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight.

The following therefore is the unadulterated word of God on the matter, and we should let the Bible speak for itself. As we read, remember that Jesus is The God of both the Old and New Testaments, so if there are any lingering questions, the one will shed light on the other. Let’s read:

Numbers 15:32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.

34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.

35 And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Question: Why was this man gathering sticks on the Sabbath? He was doing so to kindle a fire, but it was not necessary because at that time, Christ, the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night took care of regulating the temperature, so that they did not suffer from any extreme cold or heat. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 408] Soon after the return into the wilderness, an instance of Sabbath violation occurred, under circumstances that rendered it a case of peculiar guilt.

One of the people, angry at being excluded from Canaan, and determined to show his defiance of God’s law, ventured upon the open transgression of the fourth commandment by going out to gather sticks upon the Sabbath.

During the sojourn in the wilderness the kindling of fires upon the 7th day had been strictly prohibited. The prohibition was not to extend to the land of Canaan, where the severity of the climate would often render fires a necessity; but in the wilderness, fire was not needed for warmth.

The act of this man was a willful and deliberate violation of the fourth commandment—a sin, not of thoughtlessness or ignorance, but of presumption.

Exodus 16: 22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23 And he said unto them, this is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which you will bake today, and seethe that you will seethe; and that which remains over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

[3SG pp 253] Those who neglect to prepare for the Sabbath on the sixth day, and who cook food upon the Sabbath, violate the fourth commandment, and are transgressors of God’s law. All who are really anxious to observe the Sabbath according to the commandment, will not cook any food upon the Sabbath.

God forbade the children of Israel from baking and boiling upon the Sabbath. That prohibition should be regarded by every Sabbath-keeper, as a solemn injunction from Jehovah to them.

Even though there has been a great departure from what The Lord has instructed on the sanctity of the Sabbath, God does not condemn us for our failures. All He is doing is calling us to repentance, and thus, preparing His people for prime time.

The days that are ahead, where Revelation 13 & 14 are set to take center stage, cannot and should not find the Remnant in the fuzzies as it pertains to the Sabbath, where persons are not sure whether we’re Sabbath keeping Christians or not.

Now, we all know those favorite arguments against Sabbath observance, such as legalism and works. It is none of the above, for God desires us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Therefore, anything which may distract our attention from keeping the Sabbath in the right spirit, will need to be addressed.

The following therefore are godly counsels, given to us so that we may make the necessary changes that may be warranted. Earnest prayer for God to guide us in this matter, and a sincere desire to do His will is of the utmost importance to coming to the right conclusions and decisions.

[1] Your first interview with a prospective employer.

 For individuals who work in other jobs which might not be directly linked to saving life as Jesus specified in our opening passages, be straight, and upfront in your first interview with your prospective employer. Avoid beating around the bush, by leaving the issue of the Sabbath for after you have gotten the job.

Your employer in some instances may not take too kindly to you telling them after the fact, and God is never honored when we hide the truth under a bushel. Be a straight shooter and let the prospective employers know that you will not be available for work under any circumstances, no matter how urgent it is.

Now, you might be wondering why should we be so clear cut, as to leave no wiggle room. The reason is that if you leave any wiggle room, the devil will find a way to wiggle himself into your business, and your employer might mistakenly understand your wiggle room to mean that your Sabbath is up for grabs, if the right set of circumstances or emergencies were to converge.

And if you waver on the issue once, it will be much easier to waver on the same point again and again. Furthermore, whenever Sabbath keeping Christians do not clearly state their case up front, it may inhibit God’s working in a marvelous manner for you, if and when you run into trouble.

Many years ago, I had an interview for a well-paying job, and as the prospective employer went through the various questions, he decided to hire me. I then told him in that first interview that I would never be working on the Sabbath, for any reason, no matter how urgent, because that’s God’s holy day.

His countenance fell, like Cain, and he told me that Saturday was his busiest day of the week, so that I would be required to show up if I wanted the job. I then informed him that there is no wiggle room on the issue, so he bade me farewell, and I left without the job.

That interview took place on Friday. Lo and behold,  first thing on Monday morning, he called me back, and told me to come on over for the job, because if a person is willing to lose a good paying job over the Sabbath issue, they wanted such a person on their team.

Then he added, that after thinking about it, he had understood why it was so important to me, because he himself was a Jew, knowing that the Sabbath is God’s holy day. Very often, in those first interviews, persons waver, so that The Lord does not know if we are coming or going. Let’s read:

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he who wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

[2] Wherever possible, ask if a substitute could fill in for you, or if possible, if you could make up your hours on another day.

There are times when someone might be willing to substitute for you, so that you can have the Sabbath day off to worship God. Pray about it, and ask those who are in charge. It may be that they would let you off the hook, or that some other arrangements will be made to accommodate you.

Remember that God looks at your intentions and at your heart, so that if it is sincerely in your mind to serve God, He might just send you a Cherub to turn things in your favor. Let’s read:

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord. As the river of water he turns it whithersoever he will.

[3] To those who are directly involved in saving life, such as doctors, nurses and everything in between.

If your purpose is to serve God in sincerity and truth as the fourth commandments says, you should do everything possible to minimize unnecessary work so that your mind can be stayed on The Lord, even as you attend to the sick and the suffering.

As is clearly stated by the prophet of God, the sick are to be cared for at all times, but over the Sabbath great care should be taken to avoid conversations, and work that isn’t directly tied to the saving of life or the healing of the sick. If the heart is right, the actions will follow suit. Let’s read:

[17 LTMS, MS 154, 1902, par. 17] Those who act as managers and overseers in our sanitariums are not to make the world’s policy their criterion; for the sign of God, as defined in (Exodus 31:12-18), is to be revealed in all its comprehensive meaning.

The proper observance of the Sabbath day by all connected with our sanitariums will exert an untold influence for good. Every medical institution established by Seventh-day Adventists is to bear God’s sign before the world prominently, without disguising the facts in any way.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will enable us to face the many headwinds that are scheduled for the last days of earth’s history, and it is the will of God that as His peculiar people, we will stand immovable, as the heat of the furnace would be ratcheted up several notches. Let’s read:

2nd Chronicles 16: 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.  

                                      God Bless!

Spiritual Versus Secular Modes Of Thought. Sabbath afternoon 10/10/2026

1st Corinthians 2: 14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The natural man refers to any person whose heart has not been renewed by God’s grace. In our natural state we are incapable of doing anything good, even if it may seem good on the surface. The natural man has a secular mind that is naturally averse to God, or anything of heavenly origin.

It is a man that is born with latent propensities that tend downwards to evil, and in and of himself can’t comprehend spiritual things of heavenly origin. The things that his mind feeds on, his modes of thought and action are all in rebellion against God. And thus, it is unreasonable to expect the natural man, in and of himself, to be believe spiritual things.

That’s one of the reasons why the Christian should pray first before embarking on evangelizing, so that The Holy Spirit will go before us and prepare the soil of the heart.

The secular mind brings with it a very strong spirit of unbelief, so that it is diametrically opposed to the word of God, and follows thought patterns, actions, and conclusions that do not take into consideration spiritual factors because according to secular modes of thought, there is no direct link between the two.

Without the renewing grace of God in the heart, his modes of thought and action would be aligned with that of the prince of darkness. Now, that’s not to say that there are no secular persons who do good.

There are, but any real good which comes from the natural man, is the result of the protracted working of grace in his heart, even though in most cases he’s not aware of the real source.

Thus, when the heart is renewed by God, different modes of thought and action, different purposes, and different ways and means of doing things, are adopted, and how we process situations, and reach conclusions, and solutions, are all very different to the secular mind.

Our first passage tells us the reason why this is the case, for spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and this can only take place with a spiritual mind. Therefore, The Christian’s perspective on life should never be the same as that of the secular mind.

Finite minds are shackled with limitations, whereas persons who believe in God incorporate additional factors which are spiritual in nature, and which are almost never recognized by science, and absolutely never acknowledged by evolution.

Science as we know it, and more so evolution, does not make allowance for either a God or a devil, and because of this the secular mind immediately shuts down the prospect of miracles or supernatural work by invisible beings. Basically, not happening in the secular mind.

From the secular perspective you would often hear statements like hope is not a strategy and that there are certain diseases which are incurable. Whenever statements like these are made, they must be taken with a pinch of salt, in the context of man’s limited knowledge of science.

The spiritual factors introduced in the Scriptures are actually more potent in producing results that defy logic, and they actually have jurisdiction over every single thing that takes place in the temporal. There is nothing in the temporal or secular realm that isn’t affected by spiritual factors, minus zero.

This is the reason why the Christian must at all times incorporate the God factor, whenever there is some difficulty, or seeming impossibility to surmount. It is even more the case now, than in former years, since there is a tremendous uptick in activity coming from the invisible world, that evolution and science deny.

And because of this the Christian has to make a very deliberate choice to subscribe to the seemingly impossible, in God and His word, so that our faith in Him could be exercised daily, without being tainted by the elements of unbelief with which the earth is being engulfed.

To be clear, the spiritual factors we are referring to include such things as believing in God, obedience, faith, trust, hope, discernment, and the fact that The Third person of The Godhead can live inside of you, just as He did in Christ. These factors, make all the difference in life for the Christian.

Indeed, they are to guide our perspectives, and if they do, they will open doors to mitigations and solutions to difficulties that are entirely foreign to secular minds.

Therefore, in our day, when secular perspectives, and thought patterns are being infused into many minds, we must be very careful, not to surrender the spiritual factors which God has given us to make all the difference.

Obedience as a spiritual factor, has toppled cities, choirs have been used in winning battles, faith has caused iron to float up from the bottom of a river to the surface, and thousands of individuals have been healed by The Lord without the use of conventional medicines.

Through faith, lions have refused to eat their lunch, even as they were starving for food, and lepers have been restored to health, the dead have been raised to life on several occasions, so that these were not isolated events.

Let none be deceived by vain philosophy, or wisdom that is strictly secular in nature, which excludes the spiritual factors, because of the very strong spirit of unbelief that is now pervading the earth.

Several examples of what we are referring to can be found in the Scriptures, so that we may know what is taking place currently. Whenever God declares a truth in His word, the secular begs to differ, so that there are always two opposing views on the menu.

For instance, when God declared that there would be a flood upon the earth, He outlined the reasons why, and through His ordained prophet, he warned the Antediluvians for 120 years, but secular minds put forth their own spin, and used logic, precedent and probability to utterly refute what God said.

In His declaration to the people in Noah’s day, God did not mention anything like global warming as we often do. The root causes were specified, but since the spiritual and secular are always at odds, people could not make a direct link between disobedience and flooding. Let’s read:

Genesis 6:3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

5 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.

11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, the end of all flesh is come before me for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

But here comes the secular modes of thought that we are referring to, and several seemingly logical reasons are put forth to show that what God said is not so, for to the secular mind, there can be no link between sin and flooding.

And therefore, based upon those secular lines of reasoning, the multitudes make their decision, for whatsoever world views you hold, those views will eventually affect your decision making. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 96>97] The world before the Flood reasoned that for centuries the laws of nature had been fixed. The recurring seasons had come in their order. Heretofore rain had never fallen; the earth had been watered by a mist or dew.

The rivers had never yet passed their boundaries, but had borne their waters safely to the sea. Fixed decrees had kept the waters from overflowing their banks. Reasoning that if the message of Noah were correct, nature would be turned out of her course. Overcome by the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in rejecting the solemn message.

Whenever that strong spirit of unbelief pervades a person’s mind, it is only through surrender to God, by submitting to the truths He gives, that the person can be recovered. After the flood, the same spirit of unbelief again resurfaced, as they refused to believe that there was any link between sin and the flood.

And, even though God clearly stated that He would never again bring such a flood upon the earth, the secular mind would not believe. That is the strong spirit of unbelief that is being referred to, which is now being disseminated across the globe. Let’s read:

Genesis 9:8 And God spoke unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,

9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;

10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.

11 And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there anymore be a flood to destroy the earth.

12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:

13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

But the secular mind does not believe, and based on the perspectives they hold, commensurate action is sure to follow. Observe carefully the reasons given for building the tower of Babel because as we stated earlier, the secular and the spiritual are at odds. Let’s read:

Genesis 11: 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 119] One object before them in the erection of the tower was to secure their own safety in case of another deluge.

By carrying the structure to a much greater height than was reached by the waters of the Flood, they thought to place themselves beyond all possibility of danger. And as they would be able to ascend to the region of the clouds, they hoped to ascertain the cause of the Flood.

Here it is again, the same strong spirit of unbelief by which the spiritual and the secular become opposed to each other. Jezebel blatantly refuses to believe that her sins and that of the nation is what brought on the devastating famine.

Like with the people in Noah’s day, the go to cause is mostly global warming. In fact, with all the various upheavals in nature, wars, pestilences, and national and international unrest taking place, you will never hear on CNN, or Fox News that it’s Biblical end time prophecies taking place.

You will never hear that. Some will blame Putin and other persons in the seat of power, some may credit it to global warming, others may complain that too much divisiveness is roiling the country, but there is no link being made, between what God says in His word, and what is happening globally.

To the secular mind, it’s anything but prophecy that is being fulfilled. And with that world view, solutions that are secular in nature will be sought after. Thus, if a certain man is giving trouble, the secular way of fixing the problem is to put in a different man in the driver’s seat.

God is trying His best to get our attention, but we’re not listening, and because of this, we would keep on jumping from man to man, until we learn the lesson that man cannot fix our problems, for we’ll just end up with a different set of man problems.

In the case of Jezebel, she believed the man was the problem, and because of her secular perspectives, she blames the man, and ultimately seeks to get rid of the man, because as far as she is concerned, and as far as her views of science go, there is absolutely no link between the drought and disobedience. Let’s read:

1st Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubles Israel?

18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.

[Prophets And Kings pp 124>126] The earth is parched as if with fire. The scorching heat of the sun destroys what little vegetation has survived. Streams dry up, and lowing herds and bleating flocks wander hither and thither in distress. Once-flourishing fields have become like burning desert sands, a desolate waste. The air is dry and suffocating; dust storms blind the eyes and nearly stop the breath. Once-prosperous cities and villages have become places of mourning.

Hunger and thirst are telling upon man and beast with fearful mortality. Famine, with all its horror, comes closer and still closer. They began to cast about for some other cause to which to attribute their sufferings. Jezebel utterly refused to recognize the drought as a judgment from Jehovah.

The secular and the spiritual were also at odds in the days of Christ, when worldly perspectives were allowed to taint the prophecies concerning Christ as the Messiah. This one is different to the others, for they actually used the prophecies in the scripture to build secular perspectives concerning Christ.

How on earth they came up with the view that the coming Messiah would reign as king in Jerusalem is a mystery we cannot fathom, especially when in the book of Isaiah and the Psalms, it is clearly written of the Messiah, that He would die a violent death.

But the multitude back then, as is also the case now, were seeking a Messiah of their own choosing, and by clinging to their world view, they built out entire doctrines to support their misinterpretation of the prophecies, which clearly pointed out the Messiah’s work.

In fact, now that Christ has come and died and risen again, it is forbidden in many Jewish circles, to read Isaiah 53. That’s how far the spiritual and secular is going to put persons at odds, for God says one thing and the strong spirit of unbelief says another. Let’s read:

Isaiah 53: 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

Psalms 69: 20 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my  thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

Daniel 9: 25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

So, how is it that the overwhelming majority of Jews in Christ’s day, came to the conclusion that Messiah would reign as a temporal king in Jerusalem, when He came? It has to do with the spiritual and secular modes of thought being at odds.

And let no one think that just because a person is a sincere Christian, loaded with The Holy Ghost, that secular perspectives cannot imperceptibly taint your understanding, invade your modes of thought, and even your interpretation of end time prophecy.

Every single one of the disciples, who were baptized and who followed Jesus in spirit and in truth, were tainted by those secular views and perspectives that were cultivated over many years.

And even after Christ was risen again, in His glorified form, they still clung to the same secular view, that He would reign as king in Jerusalem. We are not too worried about Judas who continuously put forth the same secular perspective, because he had his own nefarious agenda.

We are concerned about John the Baptist, who was loaded with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb and who delivered the goods faithfully without ever turning to the right, or to the left. If John’s view can be tainted, what about me and you? Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages pp 718] Notwithstanding the Savior’s own teaching, Judas was continually advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem.

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

[The Desire of Ages pp 215] Like the Savior’s disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and  the Savior made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled.

To the desert prophet all this seemed a mystery beyond his fathoming. There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him.

Could it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? Then what meant the message that he himself had been impelled to bear?

Matthew 11: 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

The same thing is true in our day, because although God has plainly told us of our origins and beginnings and of our ends, the secular refuses to believe, and because views and perspectives inevitably guide our actions, secular minds are searching in deep space to discover what our origins are.

Billions upon billions are being spent, trying to find out what God has already plainly stated in His word, but just as it was with the antediluvians, with Ahab, with Jezebel, and with many otherwise God-fearing Christians, a very strong spirit of unbelief has taken hold, and in many cases, the perspectives and world views are being adversely affected and tainted. Let’s read:

[Christ’s Object Lessons pp 41] In turning from God’s word to feed on the writings of uninspired men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought in contact with deep, broad principles of eternal truth.

The understanding adapts itself to a comprehension of the things with which it is familiar, and in this devotion to finite things it is weakened, its power is contracted, and after a time it becomes unable to expand. All of this is false education.

That’s how you end up with such statements, that A.I. can kill us all in the next ten years. It is the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard and the multitudes have started to panic, as a result. When the God factor is excluded from the human equation that’s what you will get.

God has repeatedly stated in His word, how and when this world will come to an end. He has stated that 4 holy angels stand on the four corners of the earth, holding back the winds of strife, and He has plainly stated that man cannot destroy this earth, because we did not make it.

Not even satan can destroy it, yet, there is a strong spirit of unbelief, pervading the atmosphere where the spiritual and the secular are again at odds. And, because perspectives and world views drive all the decisions and conclusions we make, commensurate action has already begun to take shape, leaving the God factor entirely out of the picture. Let’s read:

Matthew 10: 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Revelation 7:1 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.

2 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,

3 Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Matthew 24: 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

How then can A.I destroy us all in ten years? That sentiment proceeds from the secular, unbelieving mind, and all those who follow their lead would be led to do things that are diabolically opposed to the will of God.

A.I has its pros and cons, it can be used for good as well as for evil, like everything man touches, but it absolutely does not pose an existential threat to the entire human family.

That statement is entirely false, and it should be signally rejected by the believing Christians, who determine to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Your expectation from God is based upon what you believe He can do, and thus, if science is permitted to minimize God in your mind, your faith in Him will also be affected, so that it will become increasingly difficult to believe that God’s word will be fulfilled in due season.

And wherever this becomes the case logic becomes the diabolical enemy of faith and the impossible will seem to be more and more out of reach.

This is how the experiences of faith have come to be viewed as isolated incidents, not because they are for a select few, but because evolution, and science have minimized God in the minds of so many people that it seems farfetched to believe God can still do great things.

Thus, the Christian living today must be very careful lest the spirit of unbelief, and the secular modes of thought invade your thinking, and before you know it, you begin to ask questions which limit the power of God to do certain things and as a result your faith becomes shaky, and brittle.

I personally expect a miracle every day. It may not happen the way I think, or the timing might not be in line with my preferences, but the expectation is here. And just because I expected it, it will be more likely to occur than not.

Hope, trust, faith and obedience are elements that science very often does not incorporate into the equation as factors that can make any meaningful difference. And because faith in God is generally on the decline, there are thresholds, and boundaries which some people believe could ever be crossed.

With our limited knowledge of science you will find statements that directly conflict with what God says is possible, or what will come to pass in the future, and the two modes of thought, the spiritual and the secular, would often be at odds to the point where believers may be treated with disdain for their belief in the word of God.

Let us therefore determine by the grace of God, not to let secular minds sow unwarranted fear or panic, but let us rather cling to the promises, and word of God, because believing in Him will make all of the difference in our life experiences.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will help us to exercise an intelligent faith at such a time as this, for it is His will that our hearts and our minds be guided by His revealed will always.

Proverbs 3: 4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

                                      God Bless!

Till Debt Do Us Part Sabbath afternoon 10/03/2026

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

The problem of ballooning individual, and national debt will have to be addressed sooner or later, for the principle of borrowing from future incomes, to pay for current needs is a system which is in itself a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure, for if a system does not include replenishing it will crash.

Some boast of us being the richest country on earth, and that may be true, but when you drill down into the claim, you would find a system of highly inflated wealth based on the finances infused by others. Our real worth, in terms of wealth, is that which is ours, minus that which isn’t really ours.

The same is true on an individual level, for your net worth, in terms of wealth is that which is yours, minus that which isn’t yours. When God created the earth, He established the principle whereby the planet can be sustained on an ongoing basis and He gave to us the system of replenishing whatsoever is used.

In that way, whatever resources have to be utilized in sustaining life, must be put back to former levels for wherever outflow is greater than inflow there is going to be a problem. Take for instance, the great Colorado River, and the two massive dams which it feeds.

Currently, lake Mead, and lake Powell are sitting at their lowest level, because a system of replenishing is absent, for various reasons, therefore, if the water resources are not replenished in a timely manner, if outflow is greater than inflow, you will end up with the many problems we have today where states are scrambling to deal with dwindling reserves.

It’s not rocket science; it’s basic math that should be applied to any resources God has blessed us with. In other words, if you do not have a system in place to replenish or restore that which was used, it will just be a matter of time before your system implodes, if tough decisions, and choices are not made to stop the bleeding.

God is more practical and down to earth than many people realize, and even though He won’t condemn us for our failures, He desires that we put systems in place that are sustainable. The Bible study for today will greatly help us in putting such systems in place. Let’s read:

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.

                       Replenish meaning:

To fill something again or to return it to its earlier level, size, or condition. To make full or complete again by adding back what has been used, lost, or consumed.

So how did we get to where we are today, as far as the national and personal debt goes? Did it happen suddenly, or overnight, or is it the result of a series of choices and decisions which did not include the principle of replenishing?

If we do not know where we came from, we will not know where we are going, and therefore, as we take an introspect look at ourselves, both nationally and individually we would have to put our fingers on the root cause of the problems, which lead to the snare of indebtedness. It never happens overnight, and it never happens suddenly but is a secret undermining of the principles God established in Eden.

Thus, the reason for the urgency of the moment is because it is one of satan’s most successful snares which he lays for individuals, and nations. Here we are, as a nation, trapped in the cycle of borrowing, and to many who sit in the seat of power, it seems as if the only way out is to borrow even more.

But if we keep on borrowing and borrowing, we will only dig ourselves deeper into the hole in which we are already trapped, and if we do not make difficult choices, and decisions to reverse course it will reach a point of no return. This warning isn’t coming from mortal man, it’s the God of heaven who is speaking to the man in the mirror. Let’s read:

Proverbs 22: 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

[Counsels on Stewardship pp 254] All must practice economy. No worker should manage his affairs in a way to incur debt.... When one voluntarily becomes involved in debt, he is entangling himself in one of Satan’s nets which he sets for souls.

As it stands currently, we are spending between five and $7 billion per day, $306.40 million per hour, $5.11 million per minute and $85,111 per second. Now, we should take some time to digest that. That means that by the end of this Bible study, we would have blown through more than half a billion dollars.

That’s a very expensive Bible study indeed. What is even more alarming is the interest we’re paying out per day, to the tune of about 3.8 billion every day. It is a system that is completely broken, and The Lord is telling us that a day of reckoning is coming, even if smooth talking politicians say otherwise.

So, if we are spending five to seven billion per day, and the interest on our national debt is about $3.8 billion per day, it means that we are taking one step forwards, and two steps backwards and we are not even scratching the surface, as far as the principal payments go.

That is similar to a person having $30,000 in debt, paying daily interest, but spending twice as much as the interest payment alone. It’s a completely broken system of checks and balances, and believe it or not, we will have to face the music one day.

This is the reason why the bond markets are flashing red, because the Bible says that the borrower is the servant of the lender, and the lenders are requiring higher interest yields on their loans to the nation. This in turn will continue to drive up costs for your everyday Joe, as interest payments increase.

In case you haven’t noticed, credit card payments and interest rates on mortgages and car loans are going higher and higher, and this will continue to be the case unless we individually and collectively decide to bite the bullet, and make tough decisions and choices to rein in the runaway train.

The problem is that the model in question has had a trickle-down effect, in that families, and individuals have now subscribed to the philosophy of constant borrowing, and, like the feds, some have come to believe that the only way out of this conundrum is to borrow more and more.

That’s the equivalent of saying that the only way for you to stop sinning is to keep on sinning. It will not work, for it’s a principle that is not self-sustaining.

And, any individual, any community, any church, any family, any state, or any business entity that follows this model is looking at structural defects, and if it is not corrected it will come crashing down one day, as did the Champlain towers on Miami beach. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.

The first statement in our opening passage instructs us to render to all their dues. In the context of debt, all means all including big business entities that may not have done right by John public, also companies that can afford to absorb, late, missed, or minimum payments.

The following are specific problems pointed out by the God of heaven to cause us to understand why we are where we are. Jesus isn’t letting us know these things to discourage us, but rather to awake us out of slumber, as it were. And if we choose to confess and take remedial actions, He will bless our efforts.

                                 The problems:

[1] Spending money before it is earned. That’s the reason why our national debt has ballooned to over 40 trillion dollars, and counting, because as a nation and as individuals, we have not learned the basic fundamental lesson of living within our means.

The use of credit allows persons to borrow money from future income, and institutions that deal with issuing monetary advances have understood, over the years, that it is much easier to borrow than to pay back.

One way to look at credit is like going into another person’s pocket, and taking their money, with your promise to pay them back. It often starts off with the best of intentions, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, as the song writer says.

And, as is too often the case, when it comes time to pay back that which was used, all of a sudden there are a multitude of reasons and excuses, some valid, and others invalid, and thus the deadly cycle keeps racking up our debts.

In addition, individuals and families should exercise due caution with financial instruments such as lines of equity, and reverse mortgages. They can be used, but do your due diligence before taking the plunge.

[2] If your outflow is greater than your inflow, you’ll have a problem on your hands, sooner or later, for a system like that cannot go on forever, since it is not self- sustaining. Remember that the issue with Lake Mead and Lake Powel is that the outflow is greater than the inflow, that’s all!

[3] Covetousness is the root of all evil, for if we can learn to be content, much of the evils and stress we suffer with can be avoided. It doesn’t mean that we should not shoot for the stars, but being willing to wait while shooting is a great idea, because Rome was not built in a day.

[4] Shabby accounting is one of the problems which often drives persons and nations into debt. Every Christian who is capable, should be aware of inflows and outflows so that at the very least you know how your resources are being spent.

But if you do not know, it could be problematic to make adjustments, and cuts where needed, at such a time as this. Some farmers are discovering that the tractors they use for harvesting can drink more than one thousand dollars in diesel in one gulp.

And because there is no end in sight, many are now finding themselves in a quandary, as to whether the trade they have done all these years, will be a viable option going forward. The Bible encourages us all as Christians to be strict accountants wherever it is possible. Let’s read:

Proverbs 27: 23 Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

Genesis 31: 38 These twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

39 That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bore the loss of it; of my hand did thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.

[5] A lack of discipline. Discipline and disciple come from the same root, and therefore, if one is lacking

discipline it will run as a common thread throughout the fabric of life’s experiences. This applies to debts that are out of control which for various reasons are recurring and multiplying, even though persons may have pledged to themselves to stop the cycle.

It is quite possible to become hooked on spending, so that rational thought and sound judgement give way to impulse and feelings. To spend without any restraint, without time to count the cost, is to follow in the footsteps of the feds.

Hence the reason why we stated earlier, that what is taking place in the higher echelons of society is now having a deleterious trickle-down effect on persons and families. And just like the runaway train we are facing nationally, the adverse results would also be seen and felt on a personal level.

Just for your information, if we decided to stop the bleeding on an individual, and a national level, if we were to make the tough decisions to reverse course, it will cost each of us about $120,000. And, that will continue to climb as long as we put off for another day, the discipline that is needed to make a change.

[6] Unfaithfulness in tithes and offerings. This final, but very important contributing factor is quite often overlooked as one of the root causes of mounting debt. When you have apparently done everything right, when you have listened to all of the financial gurus, and you still seem to make no headway, the cause can be in the area of tithes and offerings.

Just as soon as beneficence is put on hold, just as soon as more is withheld than that which is due, we will often find ourselves slipping into more debt, so that persons will be taking one step forwards and two steps backwards.

As developed countries cut the purse strings which were pledged to help poorer nations, national debt has skyrocketed at the same time. That is because the principles of inflow and outflow, which God has ordained, are being violated, in favor of self-serving principles.

The Bible puts it this way, that when benevolence is restricted, inflows would also be restricted and even that which is received by such entities, or persons is going to be wasted on nothingburgers. Poor choices will be made and funds will be wasted in many ways but the real cause may go undetected for years. Let’s read:

Haggai 1: 5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

Some may not understand what The Lord is saying to us individually and nationally, so let us put that phrase: “A bag with holes” into context, using the vernacular of the people so that every person could understand.

“A bag with holes” means higher diesel prices and increasing pain at the pump, higher grocery prices and higher energy costs. And at every turn, when it is time to spend, things just seem not to be adding up for some strange, unknown reason.

One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is that benevolence is being choked off, and all who follow that model of hoarding to preserve self, will discover that it is a losing strategy on every level.

This leads us to our study for today, in which a poor, woman, who is hanging on by her last thread has to make a life, or death decision, since the economic outlook is as grim as you could get. There is a severe food shortage, farmers are out of diesel, drought is taking its toll on reservoirs and lakes, and the price of food, goods and services is through the roof.

Yet, God sends Elijah to this widow woman, to ask her to open up her springs of benevolence, even as she is hunkering down with her last meal for herself and her son. What should she do, because she is on the verge of starvation.

Several pertinent questions must now be answered so that we may explore the ways and means out of our current crises. Should she refuse Elijah’s request on the grounds that it is unreasonable, given her current situation?

Is God asking her to do something that will put her and her son at risk? And if so, is the request of itself inhumane? Should she dial up the department of children and families to report that God’s prophet is trying to eat her lunch?

What would be our most likely response in such a dire situation? Would we seek to preserve self at all costs, our should we serve others first and self-last. Hear the word of The Lord, whenever nations and individuals put themselves first, they will soon end up being last, for this is the law and the prophets. Let’s read:

Matthew 19: 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

1st Kings 17: 8 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,

9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongs to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.

12 And she said, As the Lord thy God lives, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.

15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

Now brethren, consider the following statement the servant of God writes, for it is a very weighted one, in which is the secret of recovery from many of the troubles and debts we find ourselves in, both on the personal and national level. Let’s read:

[Christ’s Object Lessons pp 360] We are to work on the plan of addition, and God will work for us on the plan of multiplication. These littles will become the most precious influences in His work.

Question: In the context of ballooning national and personal debt, what would be the plan of addition?

The plan of addition is encapsulated in the following mantra that nations, families and individuals should live by: God first, others next, self, last. In an era of me first philosophies, this might seem like a stretch, but it could be the beginning of recovery from debts and all of the troubles associated with debt.

The following are a few instructions, coming from The Lord to us and if we humble ourselves and listen to His voice, he will respond by working on the plan of multiplication, as He has spoken through His own servant.

[1] Whatever you do, in your efforts to get out of debt, never ever rob God or His cause. In addition, let the springs of benevolence and love be active, as valid needs might arise from time to time. In other words, let not your debts be the reason why you cannot contribute to God’s cause, or help others.

As financial stresses, burdens and debts take a toll on the Christian, many are resorting to cutting back on what they return to God, or what they give for benevolent purposes. As a result, the estimates are signaling that over 100,000 Christian churches are going to close, or be repurposed within the next ten years in America.

The woman in the narrative gave her last lunch, and the woman in the New Testament gave her only two mites, yet God was honored by their benevolence, and He would take care of you and me, if we follow their lead. Here is the same principle at work in the Scriptures, for it can make all the difference in your efforts to pay down debt. Let’s read:

John 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7 Philip answered him, two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

[2] If there are tough, but necessary decisions to be made in reining in debt, pray about it first, and ask God to lead out, so that you could avoid the start and stop syndrome where so many persons relapse back into the debt cycle, after making good, noble efforts to escape.

The prince of darkness does not like it when persons escape from his clutches and snares, therefore, you will need God to strengthen you, when it becomes necessary to practice self-denial consistently. When the Christian realizes his or her mistakes and tries to correct course, do not expect that you will not face opposition.

You will, but The Lord promises to be with us when we pass through the fire and the floods, so that we are not overwhelmed. Every single step of advance or recovery in the Christian’s life will be contested, so do not expect smooth sailing as you try to break free from debt. Let’s read:

[LTMS Lt 28, 1892] Satan seemed to contest every inch of the way of progress, and trials and obstacles had to be met and overcome and reproach endured before success crowned our efforts.

[3] Try your very best to avoid spending resources before you earn it, because this will go a long way in addressing the inflow and outflow imbalances which are at the root of indebtedness.

This will call for stern self-denial and there will be times when you will be tempted to splurge on the spur of the moment, without first counting the cost. In addition, you may have to trim and roll back what might be considered “Must haves” because there are things we can certainly do without.

Especially with the holidays coming up, where the spirit of excess would be flitting about, all over the place, be very careful, lest the spontaneous buying habit grabs a hold of you and you find yourself back where you were before.

God is more practical and down to earth in the ways and means, instructions, and principles He gives us to live by, and thus, self-denial has to be practiced, wherever warranted. In fact, according to Jesus, it is one of the most necessary disciplines that must be engaged by every Christian. Let’s read:

Matthew 16: 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

[4] Be consistent and do not become discouraged. Ask God to give you consistency, for anywhere this trait of character is cultivated, you will be victorious and successful at whatsoever you do.

This applies not only to the paying off of your debts, it will also apply to exercise, dieting, losing weight, saving for the rainy day, serving at church, church attendance, work ethic, praying, seeking God every day, and it applies to anything, and everything that you do. Consistency has to run as a common thread throughout the fabric of our lives. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 4:9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons.

Deuteronomy 6:17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Ezra 7: 23 Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

Psalms 119: 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy  precepts diligently.

Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Luke 4: 16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

[The Adventist Home pp 393] Do not falter, nor be discouraged, or turn back. Deny your taste, deny the indulgence of appetite, save your pence, and pay your debts. Work them off as fast as possible. When you can stand forth a free man again, owing no man anything, you will have achieved a great victory.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which would encourage us to keep pressing on, in paying off our debts. God will help and bless us as we make consistent, well directed efforts, for it is not His will for us to be subservient, or subjugated financially if it can be avoided. Let’s read:

Romans 8: 37 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

                                   God Bless!

The Voices Inside Your Head. Part [2] Sabbath afternoon 09/26/2026

                                   Exhibit A

Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

2 And when he came out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.

4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. (Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI)

6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, what have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most-high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9 And he asked him, what is your name? And he answered, saying, my name is Legion: for we are many.

10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

12 And all the devils besought him, saying, send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

We are going to examine, and study three exhibits, And, we will ask the same question after each one, so as to pave the way for a thorough understanding of what is at stake for the inhabitants of this earth, including the remnant people of God, for we also may be affected in some ways, some more some less.

The reason why it is important for us to understand what is going on is because in our day many spiritual maladies and conditions tend to be treated with conventional medicines, and, wherever this is the case, only the symptoms can be addressed, for if the root problem is spiritual, the remedy also has to include the spiritual, for it to have long term success.

The medical term for some of the man’s actions in exhibit A is (Non suicidal self-injury, or NSSI). When a person is cutting themselves continuously, or if it is the case that bodily harm and mutilation is being done to oneself, that person is in dire need of prayer and deliverance.

Antidepressant drugs may address some symptoms, but it is a mind problem, a spiritual problem that is being manifested, and as such, the interventions or mitigations must of necessity include prayer. There are some conditions of the mind that only Jesus can fix, and thus, He must be our go to Source whenever deep problems of the mind continuously plague the person in question.

We are hard pressed to believe that the unfortunate condition of these men came about by accident, or by chance. Is it possible that the prince of darkness could just pick any person arbitrarily on this planet, and take possession of them, to the point where they are under his direct control, coercing their will, mind and physical being to do his bidding. Really? Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages pp 341] The encounter with the demoniacs of Gergesa had a lesson for the disciples. It showed the depths of degradation to which Satan is seeking to drag the whole human race, and the mission of Christ to set men free from his power.

Those wretched beings, dwelling in the place of graves, possessed by demons, in bondage to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represent what humanity would become if given up to satanic jurisdiction.

A legion back then amounted to between three and five thousand men, so when the man declared his name to be legion, we are looking at an abnormally high number of demons invested in a single person. But we have some news for you, because in our day it is quite possible that there are persons who have more than five thousand demons living inside of them.

Now, some may be quick to point out that the men were adults and therefore their decisions or choices will have to be understood in that context. Thus, if they have deliberately chosen or indulged evil over a period of time, and now it has culminated in full blown demon possession, they are responsible for the choices they made.

That’s one line of reasoning, but the next case study is not about an adult, but about a child, who most likely did not conscientiously choose to do evil, and yet, he comes under the direct dominion of an evil spirit.

This case raises a number of very grave questions, because it raises the prospect that adult parents, in some cases may be responsible for the condition of their children, as far as the voices inside their heads go. A very serious responsibility rests upon parents for what is permitted to infiltrate the child’s mind.

And there are certain instances where the parents may have meddled with Voo Doo, witchcraft, or any of the other dark arts that are on the menu, and as a result, the child who did not deliberately choose evil, might be adversely affected.

Even though modern science and medicine will not say so, a proliferation of pagan philosophies, and an indulgence in pagan practices opens the door for a number of demons to enter in and affect the mind. Persons in the medical field may not be able to trace the link, but it exists, nonetheless.

In the spirit world, whatsoever philosophies, tenets, beliefs, and practices a person subscribes to, always signals where their vulnerabilities lie, and this would translate into how much access to your mind devils will have. When persons subscribe to Netflix, they are exposed to content that streams from Netflix.

Thus, just as a subscription will give that company access to your mind, a similar thing takes place if a person subscribes to anything that streams live from the kingdom of darkness, for the prince of darkness recognizes the content as his very own, and he owns the copyright to the material.

Thus, it is important to know that demon possession takes place in increments. A person does not get up one morning out of the blue, and he or she is fully under the control of the prince of darkness. It never works that way. Wrong choices, and practices have to be indulged over a long period of time for it to culminate in the condition of the two men in exhibit A.

Thus, if you see any person suffering with full blown demon possession, it is most likely because freedom of choice was used to choose evil, and after a while, it will reach a tipping point where persons will come under the full control of evil spirits.

This applies to grown adults who have unimpaired reasoning powers, and if they have children, they too can be adversely affected. The condition of Eli’s children was a direct result of what the father did, or didn’t do. Let’s read:

                                  Exhibit B

Mark 9:14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

16 And he asked the scribes, what question ye with them?

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he takes him he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and he pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answered him, and said o faithless generation how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, from a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believes.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

This second exhibit terrible as it might be, pales in comparison to the third one, for the third one is not about foaming at the mouth, and gnashing of teeth. The first two exhibits manifested degradation of the persons in question, but this next one, raises alarms and deep concerns about the mere possibility, since it is a true story.

It is about a decent, well-dressed, devout Sabbath keeper, who attends church regularly, and comes to hear the word of God preached from week to week. Apparently, he enjoys good sermons, and he comes to church with his quarterly and Bible religiously, as he rubs shoulders with fellow church members from week to week.

This individual in question is a decent, law-abiding citizen, who is well respected in his community, and in his church. He partakes in the church services and as he sits quietly in the pews, no one has a clue that he is demon possessed. The very prospect is cause for great concern, for it raises the possibility that it can, or is currently being repeated. Let’s read:

                    Exhibit C

Mark 1: 21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

24 Saying, let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, what thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

As we were preparing the Bible study for today, we ran across something that is very disturbing and it’s difficult to swallow, for when we speak of dominant voices inside your head, telling persons to commit gross evils, we hardly ever think that on the other end of the spectrum persons can be driven by these voices to attend church services regularly.

Students of the Scriptures would usually focus on the grosser manifestations, but almost never on the pious church going congregants, who might, for all intents and purposes, be considered to be in good, and regular standing on the church books.

A very interesting and important commentary which is written by the servant of The Lord, must now be observed very closely, for it will help us understand the real condition of some professed Christians in our day, including members of the remnant church, and what remedial actions should be taken where such a situation exists. Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages pp 256] The same evil spirit that tempted Christ in the wilderness, and that possessed the maniac of Capernaum, controlled the unbelieving Jews. But with them he assumed an air of piety, seeking to deceive them as to their motives in rejecting the Savior.

Their condition was more hopeless than that of the demoniac, for they felt no need of Christ and were therefore, held fast under the power of Satan.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

We thought we knew the meaning of the word piety but The Lord strongly impressed upon us to go look up the meaning one more time, so as to get a fuller understanding of the condition of the individual in exhibit C. Here it is:

        Piety

It means a deep devotion to religion, or a strong sense of duty to family and higher obligations. A strong belief in God shown through prayer, worship, and daily actions.

Deep respect, care, and duty toward one's parents and family. A steadfast faithfulness to a serious pledge, country, or foundational obligation.

In the three exhibits presented previously the voices in the persons’ heads took control of the mind, and the use of force was manifested. The demoniacs of Gadara, the young child, and the pious man who sat in the pews were all subjected to the use of force by invisible agents, who bypassed their freedom, and forced them into doing and saying things.

So, here’s the question from last week’s study that we must now address:  

Can the voices in a person’s head reach a tipping point of manifestation where the person is forced to do and say unthinkable things? And if so, who would be held responsible in the heavenly courts, because someone has to be held accountable.

If a person was born with a definite mental disability God will deal with such individuals on a case by case basis, for He alone knows the inner workings of the mind, and God alone will settle those cases as it will pertain to accountability.

However, if an individual, through their freedom of  choice has deliberately subscribed to content that streams live from the kingdom of darkness, and has done so continuously in spite of the pleadings of the Holy Spirit to the contrary, that person’s choices will eventually culminate in a situation where their will comes under the direct control of the voices inside of their heads.

This is what took place with the pharaoh of old, who hardened his own heart against the Holy Spirit as he resisted calls to repent, and change course, even as those overtures came from God, Moses, and from his own advisors.

He just would not listen, and therefore, he reached a point where, those voices inside of his head took complete and direct control of his mind, and drove him into unreasonable and irrational behaviors and decision making.

The same thing happened to Judas, who previously was not under the complete control of the voices in his head, but day by day, bit by bit, as he steeled his heart against all reproofs and corrections, and used his freedom of choice in favor of evil, it reached the point where his choices culminated in handing the reins of control over to the voices inside his head.

Observe in the following passages how his freedom of choice is employed in favor of content that came from the kingdom of darkness and how he becomes irritated when reproved. Time after time the voice of conscience is awakened as Jesus tried to pull him back from the abyss, but like pharaoh, he just would not listen. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it they had indignation, saying, to what purpose is this waste?

9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.

11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.

12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

John 6: 11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

[The Desire of Ages pp 718] Notwithstanding the Savior’s own teaching, Judas was continually advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem. At the feeding of the five thousand he tried to bring this about. It was he who set on foot the project to take Christ by force, and make Him king. His hopes were high. His disappointment was bitter.

John 6: 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eats of this bread shall live forever.

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

63 It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

70 Jesus answered them, have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

At this point, Judas had not entirely given his will to satan, for he could’ve still obtained grace and mercy to correct course if he so chose. But he became very irritated by the thought that Christ’s kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, not focusing on the temporal and financial blessings of life.

In our day, there are some televangelists, preachers and Christian gurus who are continually advancing the idea of a prosperity gospel, thus leading people to focus on the temporal aspects of life, instead of the spiritual, like total surrender to God and obeying His laws.

With such persons, the health/wealth gospel means more than conversion, and thus the name of Christ is tethered to prosperity alone, while the things that pertain to the spiritual aspects of the Christian’s life are often left on the back burner.

It reminds us of the third exhibit we studied earlier where the pious, church going man, all dressed in his suit and tie, sat reverently in the temple, all the while, the voices in his head were leading Him down an entirely different road than the straight, narrow path, which leads to eternal life. Let’s read:

[D.A. pp 719] From that time he expressed doubts that confused the disciples. He would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting.

He introduced controversies and misleading sentiments. While the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track.

His suggestions were constantly exciting an ambitious desire for temporal preferment, and thus turning the disciples from the important things they should have considered. The dissension as to which of them should be greatest was generally excited by Judas.

[The Desire of Ages pp 717] The small sums that came into his hands were a continual temptation. Often when he did a little service for Christ, or devoted time to religious purposes, he paid himself out of this meager fund. In his own eyes these pretexts served to excuse his action; but in God’s sight he was a thief.

Thus, Judas was continuously making audible, those voices inside his head, as he chose to become the mouthpiece of the devil. Therefore, when we read in the following passage that satan entered into him and took entire control of his mind, it is not by any chance or coincidence.

We are looking at the culmination of him choosing to obey the voice inside his head, in spite of Christ’s gracious overtures, and when this takes place in any individual, the default setting is that the prince of darkness is eventually given control of the entire man.

It is never a coincidence, and it never takes place overnight, for it is the end result of a long running process in the mind, where a person’s freedom of choice is deliberately employed to do evil, even as the pleading voice of The Holy Spirit beckons them to turn and live. Let’s read:

John 13:27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, what thou doest, do quickly.

28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spoke this unto him.

The question for us in our day is this: Can the voices in our heads, which may beckon us to do wrong, become dominant, if we employ our freedom of choice to do their bidding, over a number of years, and if so, who will ultimately be held responsible?

As was stated previously, persons who were born with serious mental impairment, where they could not reason rationally, will be left in God’s hands for Him to decide, for He knows all of the circumstances surrounding their case.

But those who have their reasoning powers intact, and make decisions to do evil or commit crime, will have to answer in the day of judgement. If a person chooses to do drugs, and as a result, their mental abilities were impaired, and they committed crimes in that state of mind, they will be held responsible for their decisions and actions.

If you know that certain drugs on the market could trigger suicidal thoughts, or undue violence against other persons, the decision to take those drugs will rest with the individual, if they have a choice in the matter. If the person did not know, then the matter will be decided by God, who sees all and knows all.

In cases where mind altering drugs may have caused persons to do the unthinkable, while in that state of mind, when they do come to themselves and realize what they have done, they would have to label their actions as sin, and confess to God. But never must it be said that it was an innocent act.

Many years ago, after smoking some Ganja, a man drove a car at high speed though the suburbs, and almost caused several accidents, by which persons could have been killed. It was the hallucinatory drug that interfered with rational thought, and thus, even though he was not presently aware of what he was doing, he is responsible for taking the drug.

During the Covid pandemic, the use of alcohol shot up significantly, because many people became very depressed, after weeks and months of isolation. In an effort to deal with the loneliness, some resorted to drinking. However, if in that state of mind they killed someone, they would have been responsible.

Drunk drivers who kill other persons unawares are not let off the hook on claims of innocence, because they didn’t know what they were doing in that state of mind. They are charged with manslaughter, even though they were oblivious at the time.

Could they be pardoned, yes, they can, can they find grace and mercy from God, yes, they can but the act has to be identified for what it is. Never can a claim of innocence be accepted, on a premise of impaired mental ability, as a result of deliberate alcohol use.

This leads us to Revelation chapters 13 and 14, for those two chapters represent the culmination of all decision making by the human family, either for life eternal or for never land. All throughout our life’s journey we have been making choices and decisions either in favor of Christ or in favor of the great rebel.

Choices in favor of the prince of darkness are often reasoned away on rational grounds, and excuses are made for indulgences that satisfy our cravings. But whatsoever might be the determining factors or the driving voices behind our decisions, at the end of the day we will own those choices.

Persons who will be sealed in their foreheads aren’t sealed suddenly out of the blue. It has to do with a long running decision making process which would eventually culminate in them being sealed by God for eternity.

No force is ever employed by God, and the human will is never coerced or bullied into submission. Yet, day by day, week by week month by month and year by year, choices are being made. These choices will eventually become habits, and habits go on to form the character.

Thus, over a period of many years, the habits and character become cemented in the person, so that when crunch time comes around, the real you will have already been formed. In fact, those who are God’s people, who are still in Babylon, would have been using their freedom of choice all along, to live in harmony with the light they had been receiving.

Thus, when present truth now dawns upon their consciences, they would do what they have always done, and that is to walk in the advancing light of knowledge and truth, because they had formed the habit of conscientiously obeying God to the best of their knowledge and conviction.

On the other hand, the mark of the beast would be urged upon all, and it will present real difficulty for persons who have made it a habit to make excuses. Under one pretext or another, when tough decisions had to be made in former years, when the truth and duty, clearly pointed out the way, some searched for loopholes to avoid the tough decisions.

And as a result, instead of building sterling character the mind was habituated to search for the easy way out, and thus, over a period of many years the habit was formed of taking the path of least resistance.

Therefore, in Revelation chapters 13 and 14, where our patterns of decision making are set to become permanent, persons should not expect to suddenly change course overnight, because of some looming emergency, if all along they have been obeying the other voices inside their heads.

At this point the prince of darkness will be seeking to make decisions in his favor permanent, and if he succeeds, like Judas, he will enter into persons and take entire control of the man. This is why the Bible does not use the word “Force” in Revelation chapter 13.

Instead, it repeats the word “Cause” because he will use his favorite, and most successful of snare, food. At that time, God will only be feeding persons who have made it a habit to trust in Him, but those who all along, have been seeking for loopholes to avoid doing God’s will, would have only two bad choices on the menu.

Some who hate Babylon, but never surrendered to Christ would have to choose between starvation, or taking the mark in order to live for a while, however, either way the result would be the same.

When the twin towers in New York city were hit by those planes, and the buildings were set on fire, the persons who got trapped on the higher floors were faced with two bad choices, either stay put, and be burned, or jump from the buildings. Any which way, the result would be the same.

Persons who are not found in Christ when the mark of the beast is unleashed, will be facing one of two bad choices. In fact, for those who understand what is coming in the future, the mark of the beast, on a personal level is really more about food than about the Sabbath, because there are many persons who now believe in the 7th day sabbath, who would end up taking the mark. Let’s read:

Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.

17 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.

During the mark of the beast, the prince of darkness will seek total and irreversible dominion of the mind and he will use the channel of food, to bring about a condition where those who are not found in Christ, will find themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea.

This is the reason why in Revelation 13, the Bible uses the word Cause and not force, but if only bad choices are on the menu, most people will choose the better devil, so that their access to food could be reinstated.

And if and when folks go that route, they will come under the total and irreversible control of the prince of darkness, which in turn will seal their destiny for eternity. In other words, at that time, many persons will do whatsoever it takes to live, for in their minds the end justifies the means, a mode of thought the prince of darkness is all too familiar with. Let’s read:

Job 1:3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and hates evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to  destroy him without cause.

4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

[The Great Controversy pp 614] The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire control of the finally impenitent. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has been at last withdrawn. The whole world will be involved in ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old.

The Christian in our day will hear other voices from time to time, beckoning us to turn from the straight and narrow path. It’s our choices and decisions that make all the difference, and if we desire to serve the Lord in sincerity and truth, He would bring us to that point where we know and obey His voice alone.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which will encourage us to obey the voice of God, whether through His word, His ordained servants, and most of all, His Holy Spirit. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

30 When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shall be obedient unto his voice.

                                      God Bless!

The Voices Inside Your Head. Part [1] Sabbath afternoon 09/19/2026

1st Samuel 3:3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, here am I.

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, here am I; for thou called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So, Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

This particular story in the Bible must be observed and studied very seriously, because it has deeper implications for persons living in the 21st century, who have to sift through a number of voices inside our heads. Out of the blue, and without any prior warning, a voice is heard distinctly, calling Samuel.

His first thought was that it must be his mentor, Eli, and so, he goes to him not once not twice, but three times. Samuel probably did not know at that time that invisible beings could make such a direct form of intrusion into the human experience, where he can hear a voice clearly calling him.

In his young mind, as it is in the minds of so many people, that isn’t possible, and thus, after the third undeniable intrusion, he is probably wide awake on his bed, with his hairs standing on edge, as he waits and ponders in the darkness, what on earth could be happening to him.

The narrative tells us why Samuel kept going back to Eli, as the source of the voice, because he did not yet know The Lord, neither was he familiar with His voice. Later on, in his experiences with The Lord, he was not scared or uncertain anymore, because he became familiar and sure of the voice that would speak to him over and over again.

The question we need to address is whether or not, God’s voice is the only voice that we can hear in our heads. Is it possible for invisible bad actors, namely the prince of darkness and his hosts, to call a person by name, and give suggestions and instructions to do this or that?

Just because you’re a Christian with The Holy Ghost doesn’t mean that God’s voice is the only voice you would hear inside your head. There are times when you will hear other voices suggesting things that are totally contrary to God’s will, and you will have to sift through them and act only on that which is the will of God.

Hearing other voices, including satan’s voice, does not in and of itself constitute sin. It is when persons yield to those other voices that there would be a problem, but if you were to hear other voices, and suggestions, other than the voice of Christ, that is something that we would have to be reconciled to as being an ongoing reality.

As we approach the end of time you will hear many voices in your head, beckoning and suggesting, and commanding you to do such and such. It is what you choose to do that makes all the difference.

There’s a valid reason why The Lord cautions us to beware of “his” devices, referring to man’s arch-enemy, because, without a knowledge of God and His word, persons can and will fall into snares.

The prince of darkness could speak through other people, he can also make a direct intrusion into your mind, and he can give visions and dreams, just like how holy angels can.

And since it is an undeniable, and well documented fact, the Christian in our day has to be on high alert, with the enabling power of The Holy Spirit, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, since we are living in abnormal times, and experiences of a supernatural nature may be headed our way.

A vision is an experience where the receiver is fully awake, and could both see and hear things which appeal to the five senses. This occurred when in the wilderness of temptation, satan gave to Christ a live vision of the kingdoms of this world, and the glory of the

Like Daniel, like the prophets of old, and like Ellen G. White, Jesus was awake when He got this vision. So, the Christian in our day must be aware of the level of intrusion that is possible through fallen angels. This will prepare us to be anchored in the truth and in Christ if and when unexplainable phenomena will come your way. Let’s read:

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And said unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

[The Desire of Ages pp 129] Placing Jesus upon a high mountain, Satan caused the kingdoms of the world, in all their glory, to pass in panoramic view before Him.

The sunlight lay on templed cities, marble palaces, fertile fields, and fruit-laden vineyards. The traces of evil were hidden. The eyes of Jesus so lately greeted  by gloom and desolation, now gazed upon a scene of unsurpassed loveliness and prosperity.

Then the tempter’s voice was heard: “All this power will I give Thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

Armed with this knowledge, the student of the Bible can immediately shut down any notion that any and every supernatural manifestation, or any voices that might make such a direct intrusion in your human experience, inevitably has to be the voice of God, or that it is of heavenly origin.

This is not absolutely the case and thus, the you and me are required, through the power of The Holy Spirit and the word of God, to sift through the many voices and experiences that are on the menu, with the intent of identifying and following God’s voice alone. At the end of the day, it’s what you choose to do and who you choose to follow that makes all the difference. Let’s read:

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Proverbs 1:10 My son if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

The Bible teaches us that the prince of darkness has the ability to utter things into your mind, whether it be through other individuals, or by a direct infusion. He spoke to Job, commanding him to curse God and die.

He spoke to Eve, to Adam, and to Moses, to Achan, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and his voice has been heard in the mind of every individual who has ever lived on our planet.

When Adam and Eve sinned, one of the unfortunate consequences was that the prince of darkness was now given more ready access to human minds, and ever since that fatal day, all human beings have, and continue to hear his voice, some more, some less.

God’s ideal is that we will only obey His voice, but as far as other voices go, you will hear them from time to time. If you were to hear any commanding voice telling you to do something that is contrary to God’s revealed will it’s your positive duty to verify that the voice is indeed God’s voice, before proceeding with the command.

And if you are not 100% sure, do not proceed under any circumstances. Even if you have to ask God for a sign, it will be better to confirm before acting on any command or instruction to do the unthinkable.

When God spoke to Abraham concerning his son, God gave Him a definite sign to guide him moving forward, in addition to which, Abraham knew God’s voice, because of his relationship and communion with Him over a number of years.

In fact, according to the servant of the Lord, on that occasion, Abraham also heard satan’s voice telling him to do the exact opposite, which was more inline with a human approach to the issue, and no doubt, Sarah would have called 911, if she were to get wind of the command from God.

Abraham obeyed, because he was absolutely sure of the voice that spoke to Him, because he habitually sought The Lord and was obedient to His commands so that this instruction coming from God could have been instantly identified as to its origin. Let’s read:

Genesis 26: 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments,  my statutes, and my laws.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 148] Satan was at hand to suggest that he must be deceived, for the divine law commands, “Thou shalt not kill,” and God would not require what He had once forbidden.

Side by side the father and the son journeyed in silence. The patriarch, pondering his heavy secret, had no heart for words. His thoughts were of the proud, fond mother, and the day when he should return to her alone.

As they were about to begin the journey of the third day, the patriarch, looking northward, saw the promised sign, a cloud of glory hovering over Mount Moriah, and he knew that the voice which had spoken to him was from heaven.

It is a grim statement that we make when we inform persons that satan’s voice can also be heard in your mind, suggesting and commanding you to do some apparently good things. The proposal that had come through Peter to Christ was on the surface good, but it originated with the prince of darkness.

That is why we have to inform you, by the grace of God that the enemy of souls is preparing a major assault on the remnant, using that familiar passage: “It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath day” Unless individuals have studied God’s word intently, and unless you know God’s voice, it would be quite difficult to tell the difference.

For instance, last week Friday evening I was working at the dealer on a Mercedes Maybach, and there were some issues that were not being resolved in a timely manner. I was already in the middle of the job, and as I looked at sunset time, I realized that there could potentially be a major problem.

It is lawful to do well on the Sabbath, that is true, so if for some reason the issues could not be resolved in a timely manner, does the statement of Christ on doing well on the Sabbath allow me to stay at the Dealership until the work is completed, even if it will mean working until 10:00 pm on Friday night?

Or, should I pack up and leave in the middle of the job, and wait for Sunday morning to continue? Let’s say there was a voice inside my head, commanding me to finish the job and be reasonable, even though the sacred hours of the Sabbath would be violated, should I then obey that voice?

When the people back then tried to take Jesus by force to make Him a King, that voice came through Judas, and for the you and me who are supposed to be studying the Scriptures, with an air to obeying God’s will, satan’s voice will be heard from time to time, mostly suggesting good things that are not in harmony with God’s will.

In the following example you will find Peter trying to protect Jesus which to him was something good and noble. But lo and behold, the author of the thought was satan. Thus, even though you may hear a voice, suggesting something that might be in and of itself good, the sifting process must continue. Let’s read:

Matthew 16: 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for you savor not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

[The Desire of Ages pp 416] Satan was trying to discourage Jesus, and turn Him from His mission; and Peter, in his blind love, was giving voice to the temptation. The prince of evil was the author of the thought. His instigation was behind that impulsive appeal.

Here it is again where someone raises an objection to Christ’s work, with apparently the best intentions and yet it was the prince of darkness provoking the thought and words. This happens quite often in our everyday experiences, so that it becomes necessary to heed the words of Christ pertaining to vigilance. Let’s read:

John 11: 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinks for he hath been dead four days.

[From heaven with Love pp 256] When the Lord is about to do a work, Satan moves upon someone to object.

Consider carefully the two previous examples, for it was not your everyday sinner on the menu. These were God-fearing believers in Christ, so, you can just imagine what takes place with persons who do not have The Holy Spirit living within the heart.

Now, it’s one thing to vocalize the voice inside your head, but it’ a completely different matter to obey it if it’s not God’s voice. There have been increasing incidents where persons have heard a commanding voice inside their heads, and they followed through with obedience, but it turned out that the voice was not God’s voice at all.

Let’s just say here that with the uptick in indulgence in pagan philosophies, ideologies and practices, you will see and hear more incidents where persons will hear commanding voices, telling them to do the unthinkable.

In the two most recent cases, two mothers claimed to have heard a commanding voice, telling them to strangle their kids. And unfortunately, they obeyed the voice and the rest is history. Someone will need to advocate for them, hence the reason why we say that it is quite possible that God is now saying, hold on a minute, through His providences. Let’s read:

                 CNN News September 6/2026

An Illinois mother had become “very invested” in the high-profile Lindsay Clancy murder trial before prosecutors say she killed her 2-year-old son on Tuesday, according to witnesses cited in court documents.

At the time over 1,000 miles away, the jury had been deliberating in the murder trial of Lindsay Clancy, a former nurse accused of killing her three children. Walsh had been discussing the case on a group text message with her friends up until 12:30 p.m.

Around 4 p.m., the Frankfort Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive toddler before he was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to a Friday news release from police.

And these are not merely isolated cases, for with an uptick in demonic activity across the land, there will be more and more of these cases surfacing. In fact, there are several notable examples of persons who claimed to hear commanding voices in their heads, before going on to commit gruesome crimes. Let’s read:

In another case involving postpartum psychosis, the mother, Andrea Yates drowned her five children in a bathtub. Forensic experts documented that she had experienced severe auditory hallucinations for many months, commanding her to harm them, which she initially resisted.

But later on, she was completely overwhelmed, and went on to do the unthinkable deed, and she was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Now, we are not discounting the fact that certain drugs can produce hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, depression and the whole nine yards. That is a well-documented fact, for big pharma says so in many of their advertisements.

But, the question to be answered is whether or not the voices inside your head can actually force you to do an evil deed or vocalize the evil thought that was forced into your conscious, or unconscious mind.

Did Mrs. Clancy have no choice whatsoever in the matter, and did the prince of darkness tie her hands and force her to do the unthinkable. Consider very carefully what the question is, and the implications thereof, for if we were to accept that, it means that we are finished as a society, because other logical questions are sure to follow.

Did Bin Laden also hear voices in his head, in that cave in Afghanistan, and did satan bind him in his fetters, so that he had no choice but to blow up the world trade centers, and kill over three thousand people?

The reason why we raised the example of Bin Laden is because there are also instances where the crime committed was not tethered to the use of any drug, such as when Herod wiped out all the male Jewish children under two years of age.

And when Pharaoh commanded the male Hebrew babies to be disposed of, was he taking any kind of drugs and was he hearing voices in his head, and if so, did the prince of darkness bypass his freedom of choice, and force him to do what he did? Was Hitler on medications, and did he also hear voices inside his head?

This raises an even greater, and far more important question, for if persons claim that the commanding voices made them do what they did, against their will, who should ultimately be held responsible, the person in question, or the prince of darkness, or the drug company?

As we dig deeper into the ramifications of the plea of insanity, commanding voices, the effect of drugs and the consequent verdicts of innocence, we have to ask ourselves could the devil force persons to sin against their will, after intruding a sinful suggestion into their minds.

Let’s say David heard a commanding voice inside his head, telling him that he must sleep with Bathsheba or else, would he still have a choice in the matter, or is he bound in an iron destiny, from which he cannot escape?

It may be that The Lord, through angelic agencies, stopped the Clancy trial in its tracks, lest we board a runaway train, headed for never land, as far as the issue of personal responsibility and the freedom of choice goes. So, here’s the first question in precis form, that needs to be addressed:

[1] If you were to hear voices inside of your head, telling you to do something that is wrong, can those voices then force you into doing the evil act, against your will, so that you have no choice but to do it? We are taking a close look at the very concept. Let’s read:

Joshua 24: 15 And if it seems evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.

Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come, with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause.

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.

There is a growing tendency in our day to remove responsibility from the individual, and place blame on circumstances, the weather, drugs, voices, and everything and anyone but the person in question. Furthermore, even though we hate to say it, the old devil gets blamed wrongfully on too many occasions for things that persons are fully responsible for.

There are instances where the excuse: “the devil made me do it” is applied to abuse of one’s credit cards, driving under the influence of alcohol, and to other failures in the human experience, too many to mention.

And the poor devil cannot defend himself since he is hidden from view, and therefore, he becomes a sort of scape goat for anything that may otherwise shift the burden of responsibility to our shoulders. He is a last resort of blame, with no one to vouch for him.

The devil made me do it was first used by Eve, when she blamed him for the choices she then made. It is funny, because Eve also heard the voice even before she saw the serpent. And if the Christian is not very careful today, the same philosophy could and would imperceptibly invade our thoughts and actions, and consequently find us unprepared for the judgement. Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages pp 125] While Satan can solicit, he cannot compel to sin. He said to Jesus, “Cast Thyself down,” knowing that he could not cast Him down; for God would interpose to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force Jesus to cast Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to temptation, He could not be overcome.

The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us. But every sinful desire we cherish affords him a foothold. Every point in which we fail of meeting the divine standard is an open door by which he can enter to tempt and destroy us.

The second question is equally important: [2] Who will be ultimately be held accountable for crimes which are committed under the claims of insanity?

In other words, if an individual is genuinely mentally disabled, and he commits some grave crime, will he be held accountable when the books of record are opened in the judgement?

That question will be answered in next week’s Bible study because it will address many of the verdicts or pleas, rulings and precedents that we have become accustomed to over the years, and take for granted.

In the meanwhile, God would have us chew on this word by applying and incorporating it into the many choices we have to make. No one could force you to do evil, for the time being because we’re free moral agents, and God has opened up the way through Christ, so that all who desire to right, could do so, in Him, and through Him.

Yes, we may have our struggles from day to day, but you can struggle without falling, for struggling is not a sin. God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present help in times of trouble, therefore, whenever those commanding voices terrorize you to do wrong, just remember the deed must first pass through the gate of your choice.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that is meant to help us to live victoriously from day to day, and it is the will of God that from here on out we’ll consider, and appropriate the freedom of choice the Lord has given to us, by making choices, and taking actions, that are commensurate with righteousness. Let’s read:

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if you live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

                                      God Bless!

If You Are on Meds. Sabbath afternoon 09/12/2026

 3rd John 1: 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.

God has blessed the human family with an increase in knowledge and understanding pertaining to how the human body works, and responds to different stimuli. As a result of this dramatic increase in the various fields of medicine, an industry which caters to the ongoing need for medicines has sprung up.

Meds are used in so many important operations and situations that they have become indispensable to millions of people. In fact, about 67 percent of all persons living in The United States are on some type Meds. That amounts to about 232 million people as of the latest statistics.

In many instances, persons are dependent on meds to live, while in other cases, meds are used to bring about mental equilibrium because of some inherent imbalances that exist.

Thus, the pharmaceutical and drug industries have ballooned, close to a trillion dollars, and is expected to keep on climbing, as the population is faced with increasing diseases, and perils, coming in from all directions.

Therefore, as with everything else, we want to know what God’s will is in our particular situations, so that the use of meds can be managed prudently. As the masses of people seek for solutions, and relief from a host of different medical conditions, it is wise for us to consider what we do, and the decisions which we make.

Whatsoever you do, and whatsoever you might be advised to do, we should remember that our bodies are the temple of The Holy Spirit, and as such there will be a close sympathy between the physical and the spiritual aspects of our being.

The condition of the mind can be adversely affected by the condition of the body, and vice versa, thus, if it becomes necessary to use meds on a long-term basis, thorough investigation should be made as to how those drugs will affect you, and if long term use might precipitate other conditions that you may not currently suffer with.

The extended use of some meds could take a toll on  the kidneys and other vital organs therefore our due diligence in researching what the long-term benefits or adverse consequences may be, should be done in most situations.

There are times when because of some emergency or unexpected turn of events, persons might be put on certain meds to stave of death for a while. These instances may not always afford you a choice in the matter, where you can count the cost, by weighing the pros and cons before proceeding.

Medical conditions, emergencies and many ongoing treatments are not always monolithic, therefore you may be prescribed a sort of tailormade regimen to suit the situation you are in. Whatever might be the issue in most cases there would be long term effects from taking meds, and there are short term effects also.

In addition, there are certain situations, especially when dealing with chronic pain, where the dosages have to be increased incrementally over a period of time, since the body no longer responds positively to the former, smaller dosages.

This creates an ongoing dependence on pain killers and as larger and more potent dosages are taken as prescribed the body keeps on adapting until it could reach a point where it doesn’t respond at all, to any drug, or to any dose, because over a period of time, of extended use the brain can become desensitized.

When this becomes the case, the person could find themselves in an unfortunate situation, where there is constant pain, and discomfort disturbing the body continually, with relief becoming ever more out of reach.

Lower back pain, and joint pain often become more frequent and intense with age, which leads to pain killers as a go to source for relief. Due caution must be exercised when dealing with chronic pain, for if it is the case that strong pain killers are prescribed, it will be prudent and wise to inquire about the long- term effects on mind and body.

Strong pain killers, such as Oxycodone and Fentanyl are notorious for training your brain to crave more, and more of the drug. Over a period of time, with increased dosages, and an increase in frequency of use, persons could become addicted, and when this is the case you could find yourself trapped in a cycle from which there is little hope of escape.

Thus, although meds do serve many good purposes when used rightly, prudence and wisdom, together with a good understanding of causes, and effect will pave the way for sound decision making, so that, if at all possible, persons could avoid being hooked on meds for life.

Therefore, before we get into the Bible study, there are a few instructions God would have us consider, as we try to mitigate and address diseases, medical and physical issues, and treatment and cures. Often, good permanent results may seem to be elusive but with good instruction and practice a better state of being could be achieved, in many cases.

[1] Whenever you have a health issue that needs to be taken care of, it is highly recommended that you consult with The Great Physician first, wherever this is possible, before proceeding.

God honors the disposition to put Him first and not last in our decision making, and in doing so, He can go before us to clear the field of unforeseen issues we were not expecting. In other words, you would never go wrong with prayer, for it paves the way for God to intervene in our behalf, if needed.

[2] Whenever there’s a medical condition, or health problem to confront, try to ascertain the root cause before diving headlong into the drug arena.

We are living in an age where symptoms are often the focus of treatment, leaving the root cause of the problem untouched. Thus, the mere masking of the underlying health issues, by popping pills, will leave the real problem untreated.

For instance, if you have a headache, it might not be an aspirin or an Ibuprofen that you need. It may be something as simple as a good night’s rest. In some instances, the cause was cow’s milk, and there are a number of cases where milk was removed from the diet and the migraine headache ceased immediately and never ever returned.

If the individual is struggling with constant migraine headaches, which could be very difficult to bear, the cause should be ascertained, for the headache itself is not the real problem, it is just a symptom of some deeper issue that needs attention.

One way of finding the root cause is by the process of elimination, whereby certain suspects foods are removed from the diet for some time, while careful observation is made to see if there is relief from the issue.

A lack of adequate sleep is known to cause ongoing headaches, and it should be addressed at the roots. Popping an Aspirin, or Ibuprofen may in some cases instances bring temporary relief, with side effects in tow. There is no such thing as taking drugs, without any side effects.

However, if the root cause of insufficient quality rest is not addressed, you will find yourself at the mercy of big pharma, as the symptoms are treated, while leaving the root cause unaddressed. It is the will of God that we seek to address the root causes of the medical, or health conditions, and choose the path that is more aligned with prevention rather than the cure.

Many Christians are woefully deficit in sleep, and if the root cause is not addressed and corrected, it will lead to more serious problems in the future. Thus, if Saturday Night live is causing you to stay up late and you are losing your zees as a result, you know what course to pursue.

[3] Read the labels carefully, especially the fine print that you could barely see, even with a magnifying glass, and the words in smaller letters, which often run on the bottom of your TV screen.

Advertisements for meds are structured so that the benefits take precedence in the presentation, over the adverse side effects. That’s just the name of the game. Many people are jumping on the Wegovy and Ozempic, and Mounjaro bandwagons without doing due diligence in finding out if there will be long term effects that should concern you.

If any person is struggling with obesity, it is good to lose the extra pounds, but a lifestyle change would be much better than doing injections once a week, for any extended period of time. It is a good idea to take time, and do your research before going on any regimen for life.

The reason for this is that if and when persons stop taking GLPs, there is one question that will confront them: Where do we go from here, in keeping weight off, and in check. Without a positive lifestyle change there would most likely be a relapse, because habits and practice were not addressed.

Even if persons were to get a jumpstart from any of the popular GLP’s now available, a well thought out lifestyle change should also be incorporated so that you do not become permanently dependent on the drug in question. In fact, the end goal should always be to get off of meds as quickly as possible, if and where it is possible.

[4] Consider the long-term effects and if the meds in question may adversely affect your vital organs.

There are certain vital organs in the body that you want to preserve in tip top shape, for as long as is possible. Therefore, if certain meds are known to adversely affect the kidneys, pancreas, heart, lungs, the liver, or the brain, much caution, and prudence should be exercised.

In some unfortunate circumstances, the long-term damage may not be able to be repaired, and you’ll find yourself in a bind, hoping and searching for the vital organ, which in most cases would require some additional meds for life, and thus the cycle of drug dependence continues permanently.

If your kidneys were to fail, you may have to wait a number of years to get a donor kidney, and if and when you do, immunosuppressants will be needed for the rest of your life. This in turn will impair your immune system, and will make you vulnerable to a number of other conditions, thus requiring even more meds.

[5] Consider the effects on your immune system, for this is the body’s natural defense mechanism, and if it is compromised by the use of drugs, there could be adverse consequences down the road.

We are living at a time when it is becoming more and more difficult to trust the information coming from certain health officials, who too often will put politics before your well-being. There are diseases circulating currently of which hardly any mention is made, because doing so would not make for a good look politically.

An example of placing politics before wellbeing can be seen in the report recently released in New York about the air quality from the 9/11 attacks, which was studiously concealed from public view, while at the same time many people were dying and are still dying.

Whenever advertisements are made in this era of deregulation, persons would have to do their own research, like the old Bereans, to find out whether or not those things are so, because protecting your immune system is critically important to health and wellbeing.

[6] Inquire about the effect the drug would have on your mind, if any, such as suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression, and hallucinations, moodiness and any anger tantrums.

Any mind-altering drugs or medications should be approached with caution, since the mind is the seat of intelligence. Thus, if it can be avoided, you do not want your thought processes to be interfered with. That’s one of the problems with ganja, better known as the herb, because it messes with your mind.

The Christian should have his, or her mind closely guarded because that’s where decisions are made. In more and more instances, we’re hearing of mind- altering drugs, driving people to do the unthinkable.

[6] Wherever possible, plan an exit strategy so that you can avoid becoming permanently dependent on the drugs in question.

[7] When all else fails and you have done all you can to engage the best possible and least harmful route, remember that there is a God in the heavens.

This leads us to our study of the woman who had an ongoing medical issue for many years and who tried everything and everyone she possibly could, to have the condition rectified, but to no avail. In her case, the physicians who treated her, most likely did their very best with the available knowledge and cures at their disposal.

Folks who work in the medical field would often be trained in modes of thought and action that are the standard of the industry, at any given time and, will make recommendations, or administer remedies or cures that are current. And that’s all well and good, for we cannot reasonably expect them to prescribe regimens or mitigations they do not know of.

For instance, if, like the woman in the story, you had some issue of constant bleeding, your primary care doctor will not recommend that you touch the hem of someone’s garment, to have the issue resolved. It will be unreasonable to expect the doctor to make a recommendation or prescription like that.

Instead, the physician in question would most likely prescribe what was learned in medical school, and whatsoever the standard of the industry is at that time.

Again, if someone were to come down with leprosy, especially in Florida where there is an uptick in the number of cases, no doctor in their right mind will prescribe that you dip somewhere in the everglades seven times. Basically, not happening.

Therefore, as a last resort, when all else fails, we can turn to the One who made us, The One who can use both conventional, and alternative ways and means to get the job done. Even though it might seem very farfetched in our day, Jesus can still fix it, whatever your it may be. Let’s read:

Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

So, we are going to focus on this specific point, of a last resort, when all else fails. There you are in your particular medical situation, where you have tried everything in the book, and outside of the book and nothing seems to be working.

Like the woman in the narrative, you may have gone to numerous different doctors and different facilities and they have done the very best they can, with the knowledge available, and yet, for some reason, the cure just seems to be evading you. What do you do?

The story of the woman with the issue of blood tells us that we have a refuge in Jesus, when all else fails, so that the seemingly impossible could become the reality in our situation. Of course, the healing would be according to His good will, but we’re just looking at the mere possibility, when all else fails.

After you have done all that you possibly can, when you’ve conscientiously walked in all of the light that has been shed on our pathway through the health message, and after you have exhausted every viable source and resource in seeking deliverance from the medical situation that has got you down, there is a refuge in Christ.

In His capacity as the Great Physician and Mighty healer He’s still in the business of restoring to health and wellbeing, those who trust Him, even if He may employ unconventional ways and means that aren’t known to the medical community.

Especially as we’re headed for unchartered territory, where paying for health insurance is fast becoming out of reach for many persons, and some are being forced to ween themselves off of the conventional systems we have become accustomed to; the last resort found in Christ alone will become a viable option, more and more.

In fact, the time will come, probably sooner rather later, when the remnant people of God will not have any access to meds of any kind, and then, that last resort in the narrative will become our first resource according to what is written. Let’s read:

Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most-High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely, he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

[Last Day Events pp 169] Miracles will accompany the ministry of God’s people under the loud cry, but they won’t have the significance they did in Christ’s day, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles.

Now, we must not throw out the baby with the bath water because until the end of time, Jesus Christ has promised to work in behalf of His people. That is included in the statement which says: “At that time Michael shall stand up”.

Therefore, just because the prince of darkness will be working miracles, it does not mean that God’s hands are tied, for if the Christian in our day finds himself with his back against the wall with a medical condition that cannot be resolved by mortals, there is still A God in the heavens who hears and answers prayers.

Many within the remnant community will discover that we will have to learn to depend on God, much more than we currently do, especially as it pertains to health issues, because, to those who will stand the test of crunch time, the systems of earth will give way to the miraculous, sooner or later.

The Elijah message, which is so often spoken of in Adventist circles, includes experiences of faith and trust that some are not now accustomed to. At the brook Cherith, there was no Medicaid or Medicare available, no pharmacy with meds if Elijah needed, and his food and drink, and everything that pertains to life were all supplied by God alone.

We should now be availing ourselves of those often opportunities God gives us to walk by faith, learning the all-important lesson of trusting in Jesus alone. Yes, it is true, that while time lasts, we might access those conventional ways and means we’ve become so accustomed to over the years.

However, the Christian should also bear in mind that great changes are on the way, and that which we’ve known and done for years, will be upended. Faith in God alone takes time and practice, and thus, if you are currently on meds, on an ongoing basis, please consider the last resort, when all else fails, for you never know, God may leave a blessing at your front door.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will help us to remember that there is an option of last resort in God, and we will encourage all those who have health and medical issues to turn to Him, when all else fails. Let read:

Psalms 103:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

3 Who forgives all thine iniquities; who heals all thy diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

                                     God Bless!

Other Intelligent Life on Earth. Sabbath afternoon 09/05/2026

Psalms 34: 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encamps round about them that fear him, and delivers them.

8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in him.

This past week, Nasa sent the Nancy Grace Roman rocket into space, with a powerful telescope, with one of its missions being to pave the way for finding extra terrestrial life. It’s funny, how man is going to such lengths and expense to find out whether or not other life forms exist, and right down here on earth, living among us are billions of intelligent beings who  are not humans.

This is one of the unfortunate consequences which occurs when persons adopt the theory of evolution, for even though evolution’s purpose is to eliminate God from the human equation, it has inadvertently eliminated the possibility of other life forms on our planet, for the theory makes no allowance for either a God, a devil, or angels.

Thus, as far as the strictly scientific and evolutionary mind goes, other intelligent life is to be found out in deep space, but not on our planet. And because of this, evolution offers no hope beyond the grave, and it does not offer any security, other than survival of the fittest, but other than that, you’re on your own.

Oh, what grief we often suffer, when we refuse God and His word to have the preeminence in our hearts because we drift about searching for things that are right in our own backyard.  The first passage tells us that the angel of The Lord “Encamps” around them that fear Him, which means that they are basically spending very much of their time on our planet.

This is very heartening to know, and it is a piece of important information that is relevant and needed for such a time as this. Because of the multiplication of disasters, calamities and catastrophic events that are scheduled for the last days, we’re encouraged to investigate those provisions God has put in place, to protect persons who believe and obey Him.

Jesus has promised to be with us all the way, and we will need Him more than ever to deal with emerging challenges, and threats that will be coming in from all directions. Thus, the study of other intelligent life on earth, will go a long way in addressing concerns that the Christian may have.

For starters, angels have always taken an active part in the affairs of men, and as prime-time approaches, their activities would be significantly ramped up, so that those who believe in God will have assurance and the confidence that God is with us.

From the garden of Eden down to the present day, the angels of God have interacted with persons on a regular basis. Although angels are mercifully hidden from view, yet their activities in behalf of humanity is evident by the restraint God places on those other intelligent invisible beings who live on our planet.

Thus, to have confidence and assurance at this time will require a better understanding of the work they do, and how we can cooperate with them as they try to shield us from invisible foes. God sheds great light on this subject so that His people could be well informed. 

When in our first passage we read “The angel of The Lord encamps round about them that fear Him” we should not take that to mean that there is only one angel at work per person. It is true that God’s saints are each given a guardian angel, but because angels do not possess omnipresence, there are times when more than one will be needed.

For instance, back in the days of yore, we read that God placed a hedge around Job, and all that he had. That meant that there was more than one angel at work, and for good reason, for if Job had to go on a vacation for any reason, his guardian angel wouldn’t be on vacation with him, and at the same time be at his home, watching over his possessions.

Other angels would have had to take up the slack so that protection would be given at both venues. It is the same when we go on vacation, for if a saint is on a cruise somewhere in the Caribbean, their houses and possessions they left behind will be vulnerable, if there aren’t other angels to pick up the slack.

Therefore, your primary guardian angel is the sort of supervisor of your everyday operations, and when it comes time for additional forces, he calls on other angels for reinforcement.

Thus, the angel of The Lord which encamps round about them that fear Him, would at times include other angels as needed, because of the issue of not possessing omnipresence. This is the reason why in the following passages you will read of protecting angels in the plural, not only in the singular. Let’s read:

Genesis 32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, this is God's host and he called the place Mahanaim.

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Then, on the issue of not possessing omnipresence we read where two important matters, in different venues had to be addressed at different times since in this instance, only one angel was sent to do some specific work for God. Let’s read:

Daniel 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 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.

The servant of The Lord also gives us an in-depth look into what God’s angels do, not only in behalf of His people, but for persons who have not yet known God. Were it not for the ministry of angels there are many folks who would never have had opportunity to be saved.

Thus, the angels of God are also commissioned to act preemptively, by protecting those who currently do not know or serve God. Indeed, that is the only reason why we’re here today looking nice and cute. It’s because of other intelligent beings on earth who are sent by God to be with us night and day, 24/7. Let’s read:

Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

The following statements coming from God to us is to be a stabilizer in an increasingly troubled world. In fact, one of the reasons why the Christian should be calm and resilient in the midst of troublous times and uncertainty, is because we know from the Bible that there are other intelligent beings on earth.

Thus, the Christian’s perspective on current events, with all of the potential upheavals in nature, and in the political realm, is that God is still in control and whatsoever the outcome may be in November, His good and perfect will is being accomplished, even if at times it may not seem so.

Before we consider some of the excerpts pertaining to the interposition of angels, there’s one statement we should keep in the forefront of our minds. God’s plans know no haste or delay, He is not fazed by any fools on earth and the other intelligent life forms He has, operating on earth, always accomplish His will. Let’s read:

[Prophets and Kings pp 499] In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice.

But in the word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.

Therefore, just before you lose it and start panicking about the turning of current events, God is saying to us that He has our backs, and His restraining power is upon the forces of darkness, so that only His will is going to get done.

This fact is reason for great rejoicing and assurance in the hearts of those who understand that there are other intelligent beings on earth. Consider very carefully, their interaction with the human family on a daily basis, and science knows it not. Let’s read:

[Education pp 304>305] Celestial beings have taken an active part in the affairs of men. They have appeared in garments that shone as the lightning; they have come as men, in the garb of wayfarers.

They have accepted the hospitalities of human homes; they have acted as guides to benighted travelers. They have thwarted the spoiler’s purpose and turned aside the stroke of the destroyer.

Though the rulers of this world know it not, yet often in their councils, angels have been spokesmen. Human eyes have looked upon them. Human ears have listened to their appeals.

In the council hall, the court of justice, heavenly messengers have pleaded the cause of the persecuted and oppressed. They have defeated purposes and arrested evils that would have brought wrong and suffering to God’s children.

Every redeemed one will understand the ministry of angels in his own life. The angel who was his guardian from his earliest moment; the angel who watched his steps, and covered his head in the day of peril.

The angel who was with him in the valley of the shadow of death, who marked his resting place, who was the first to greet him in the resurrection morning—what will it be to hold converse with him, and to learn the history of divine interposition in the individual life, of heavenly co-operation in every work for humanity!

All the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony.

And this is not the extent of their work because they often visit congress, they visit churches and they are known to go to places that you would have difficulty believing that they go. They’re not restricted by any walls, they cannot be stopped by ICE, and the most secure places on earth are fair game to those other intelligent life forms on earth.

This understanding is of critical importance to those who might be panicked or gravely concerned by the current events. Those angels who are among us are not limited by time, space, or speed, as we are, and every plan that man now makes, or will make in the future, will be have to be subject to God’s approval, or permission.

Furthermore, The Lord would have us to understand that angels are not inhibited by solid matter such as windows and doors as we are, there is no barrier on our planet, no locks that you can purchase at Home Depot, and there is no camera or security apparatus that can stop them in their tracks.

In addition to this, you cannot shoot them, because bullets are powerless to stop them. They often walk among on a daily basis, carrying out God’s missions of mercy, and protecting those who place their trust in Jesus. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 631>632] In the form of men, angels are often in the assemblies of the righteous, and they visit the assemblies of the wicked, as they went to Sodom, to make a record of their deeds to determine whether they’ve passed the boundary of God’s forbearance.

Consider carefully how they make their intrusion, in Lot’s day, unannounced, unobserved, and dressed in common clothes that are worn by everyday people, such as your Nikes and Jeans, and possibly with sun shade glasses, and cell phones.

Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed  himself with his face toward the ground.

Here they are, intelligent life forms walking among the inhabitants of Sodom, the people are seeing them, they are rubbing shoulders with the everyday people, and the inhabitants have not a clue.

The question for us in our day is: Can it be possible, as we walk the busy streets of our cities, and towns, going to various restaurants and markets, and going on cruises, could the same thing be taking place and we have not a clue? Let’s read:

Genesis 19:2 And he said, behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, no; we will abide in the street all night.

3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 158>159] He pressed his invitation until they yielded, and accompanied him to his house. He had hoped to conceal his intention from the idlers at the gate by bringing the strangers to his home by a circuitous route. But, their hesitation and delay, and his persistent urging, caused them to be observed.

Now, why would they want to be observed? Why not come in quietly, and reply to Lot in whispers, as they head to his home by another route, using the backroads of Sodom to get there? They want to be observed because they are intelligent and they are sure the people would follow them, because that is what the men of Sodom habitually do.

By following them to Lot’s house, the inhabitants of Sodom would give direct evidence of their character and purpose and their intentions would be captured on live footage, for the record books in heaven. It is all meticulously planned out and executed flawlessly without a hitch.

It would’ve been nice to finish the Bible study right here, and go home rejoicing on our merry way, but the Bible also confirms to us that there are other intelligent life forms living on our planet, who are bent on doing evil, and their activities are currently ramped up significantly, even though science does not know. Let’s read:

Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Now brethren, this fact is something we all have to reconcile in our minds, because, if there are angels, both good and bad, interacting on a daily basis with the populations of earth, it begs the question: Are we safe? The answer to this question is what forms the basis of the Christian’s assurance as we go to and fro from day to day.

Several passages in the Bible confirm to us that it is because God is in control of the other intelligent life forms on earth, why we are not consumed. Indeed, it is solely because of His mercy, why the inhabitants are preserved even though the great and important changes predicted in the Bible, are heading our way.

Let’s take a look at some of these passages and then we will seek to understand how they impact us, and how we can, and should cooperate with God, in the preservation of mind, and body.

Psalms 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he gives his beloved sleep.

Psalms 33:16 There’s no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

17 A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in His mercy.

Revelation 7:1 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.

2 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,

3 Saying, hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

[Heaven Forever pp 316] A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. God’s people, exposed to the unsleeping malice of the prince of darkness, are assured of the unceasing guardianship of angels. Such assurance is given because there are mighty agencies of evil to be met—agencies, numerous, determined, and untiring.

[The Great Controversy pp 517] The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us, were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer.

We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense.

If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder, torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under his watch care. Angels that excel in strength are sent from Heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about his people.

Question: Why is it important for us to understand these things? And what direct bearing will it have on how the Christian approaches crunch time?

It is critically important for us to understand that all the other intelligent life forms on earth are under the direct supervision of God. This understanding causes us not to trust in man made ways and means of protecting ourselves, but in the power of God alone.

Even though we could do what we can in our sphere to cooperate with the heavenly agencies, that’s not where our confidence should lie. Beyond all that we may do, we are to keep our focus on God alone, for without His protection, safety is a nothingburger.

In addition to this, the Scriptures warn us that the diabolical activities of evil angels will be ramped up significantly, as the day for Christ’s 2nd coming draws near. And God will rise to the emergency by sending additional reinforcements of holy angels to fend off the increasing threats to His people.

This understanding, coupled together with God’s promises are what will stabilize the Christian in the increasingly volatile and violent environment we are living in. We are not to place our confidence in any man, because the arm of flesh will fail you.

Our confidence and our hope are to be placed in the Lord alone, for He not only directs what takes place, and what is permitted to take place on earth, but He goes a step further, in shielding the Christian from a number of dangers we do not see.

Thus, His watch care over His people will rise with the emergency, so that even though turmoil, and destruction may be all around, we should not fear. Let’s read:

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Especially will this be the case for the remnant who would be chosen by God to carry His last message of mercy to a dying world. Persons are to cultivate the faith of Jesus, by trusting implicitly in God alone.

This level of trust does not come suddenly but must become a part of our everyday experiences, where we keep our eyes on Jesus no matter what man may or may not do. The habit of focusing on man will get many people into trouble.

When Daniel predicts that Michael will stand up, we should understand that statement in the context of some grave emergency, that will call for additional reinforcements and the direct interventions coming from the God of heaven. Let’s read:

[Early Writings pp 270] The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers.

I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it.

They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”

To this time we are now hastening, and the Christian in our day should not be distracted by what is taking place at home and abroad. There are persons who are greatly concerned about the midterms and the outcome thereof. Let not the things of this world distract us from our mission, because God is still in control of the affairs of men.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which would reinforce the truth that God is still in control, and He still rules and overrules in the affairs of men. Let’s read:

Daniel 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most-High, and I praised and honored him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.

35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

                                     God Bless!

Beware Of These Scammers. Sabbath afternoon 08/29/2026

2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

These last days, in which we are living currently are described as perilous times, and the designation has been given for several reasons. The Christian in our day will have to fend off multiple assaults on several different fronts, as things take a turn for the worse, as our first passages declare.

It is not only salvific issues we have to pay attention to, for we are living in an evil world, and while time lasts, we will need to learn how to adapt to an ever- changing landscape. The Scripture tells us that the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed.

By this statement and others found in the Bible, we are not to expect this war to take place only on the spiritual level, with issues like the Sabbath, and the state of the dead. When the prince of darkness was permitted to make war on Job, he did not test him on the Sabbath, or on the natural immortality of the soul.

Instead, the bulk of his assaults were on temporal or social aspects of life, such as Job’s income, his family and his savings accounts. Job’s wife didn’t buckle on the Sabbath, neither did Mrs. Lot. It was the issue of temporal and social interests that caused them both to buckle under the heavy load.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira were not tested on the 27 fundamental doctrines, neither was Achan, and in most of the fumbles which took place in the wilderness with the Hebrews, it was temporal things that did them in.

You and I are no different, for the boogey man will also try his best to destabilize the remnant people of God in temporal and social interests, as a means of getting them to bow down on spiritual things.

In fact, most of those who will apostatize from the truth in the future will have previously accepted the Sabbath and the Biblical teaching on the state of the dead. Again, the prince of darkness first approached Christ in the wilderness on the issue of food, hence the reason why the mark of the beast is more about food, than one’s belief in the Sabbath. Let’s read:

Revelation 12: 17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, who keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Christians in bygone years did not have to deal with, artificial intelligence and fake impersonations, as we have to. Yes, there has always been much fraud, and deception ever since there was a devil.

But with the invention of the number of online tools at your disposal, together with the apps, and other electronic devices, fraud, scams and deception have been taken to a whole new level that prophets and saints of former years might not have envisioned.

Right here in the Sunshine State, we’ve been stuck in the number two position when it comes to fraud and scams, which target the elderly and the unwary in many ways. And with those advances in artificial intelligence, things have gotten much worse than in days gone by.

Added to this conundrum, there are several persons in authority who have been stirring the pot of fraud with spoons of deceptive arts, and as a direct result, there is a trickle-down effect that is accelerating as we speak, for as they say, “monkey see, monkey do”

Thus, The Lord would have His people be wise, and intelligent concerning the dangers and pitfalls of the last days, because, if you think things are bad now, just wait until all of those A.I. centers become well established across the land, and what we are seeing now will be as a walk in the park, to what will come next.

Artificial intelligence now allows persons to do real time impersonations, not only with voice and accent but also with apparently real live persons. It is a fact that more and more advertisements you see on the television, are filled with fake people who have their origination in artificial intelligence.

One notable production took place recently where several dogs got lost and were found by a passerby, who then filmed them heading back to their homes.

It was later discovered that the entire episode was a fake, the dogs were fake, the road they walking on was fake, the vehicles passing by, with apparently live passengers were fake, and the entire story was a hoax.

It was all generated by artificial intelligence and the deception was only discovered after it had racked up millions of views online. Things have gotten so bad that the real movie stars are finding themselves having to license their image and voice, so as not to go out of business entirely.

Some of the big names include James Earl Jones of Darth Vader fame, and Michael Caine, the estate of John Wayne, and Matthew McConaughey, just to name a few. Big name movies that have employed A.I include Terminator 2 and 3, Robo Cop, Star trek, The Matrix, The day the earth stood still, Total recall and Heart of stone.

The technology is also being employed by many bad actors, as they hone their scamming skills using the upgraded tools which artificial intelligence affords. You now have fake grandchildren actually calling the grandparents, saying that they have been stranded somewhere in never land, and need money to come home.

Then there are scams mimicking fake emergencies, targeting seniors and other persons. Then there are calls of fraud alerts, coming from apparently valid financial institutions, and there are scams targeting the lonely and singles, who are searching for some companionship.

One person in the intelligence community was once asked, how many people have been hacked in the U.S. His answer was grim as he stated that there are two categories of persons who have been hacked, those who know, and those who don’t know.

The problem of scamming is currently a multibillion-dollar industry, and the remnant in our day will have to awaken to the stark realities on the ground. The state of Florida has removed, and continues to find hundreds of skimmers at gas stations, which inflict real pain at the pump.

There are also thousands upon thousands of cases where fake emails, text messages, and telephone numbers, mimicking real businesses and banks are employed to lure persons into handing over their personal information, which is then used to open accounts in the person’s name, or is sold on the dark web.

Scammers also personate the IRS, Medicare and the Social Security administration, they claim to be from police departments, from big department stores or from insurance companies, and they often employ aggressive tactics, using fear, intimidation and even the threat of arrests, or confiscation of assets, as a way to bully persons into sharing valuable info.

These scammers are now using A.I voice cloning to perfectly replicate a person’s voice, including accent and tone, if the victim happens to be Caribbean. In a most recent and brazen attempt one impersonator, pretending to be White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles exchanged text messages with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Then there are the sweepstakes and lottery scams, where you have apparently won a truck load of cash but you will have to pay a fee up front in order to receive the prize, which never comes in the mail, or you are required to hand over personal information before receiving the funds.

There are certain things we must be cognizant of if we are to fend off multiple assaults from the prince of darkness during the last days of earth’s history, and we are not to think ourselves invulnerable to his devices. Not because persons believe in God does it mean that you will not or cannot get scammed.

All of earth’s inhabitants are warned in the Bible of a devil gone wild, and according to the Scriptures, his diabolical efforts will be focused on the remnant who keep the commandments of God. Thus, we are to step up to the challenges as they emerge, even as we trust in God for His guidance and direction. Let’s read:

Revelation 12: 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knows that he hath but a short time.

[7 LTMS, LT 30a, 1892, Par 14] Satan has a thousand masked batteries which will be opened upon the loyal, commandment-keeping people of God to compel them to violate conscience. Guardians will rob orphans and widows of their just dues.

Men will take to themselves property to which they have no right. The words of the apostle will be verified in the near future: “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

One of the prominent scams that will become more commonplace, and widespread is the one which is structured to appeal to your feelings and sympathy. If you would notice, there are multiple destructions taking place globally and right here at home. There are fires and floods and earthquakes and hurricanes and landslides tornadoes, and severe heat waves

Persons will genuinely need help, and the Christian is expected by God to step up to the plate and offer assistance when appeals for help are made. Special reserve funds will be needed because of the many dangers, and emergencies that are coming upon the planet, and we should not sit idly by with our hands folded, as persons go over the cliff.

However, even in the exercise of benevolences you will need God’s guidance and direction, because the scammers will appeal to your sympathies, and if you do not form the habit of praying about everything it will just be a matter of time before you will be taken in the snare of the devil.

This leads us into our study for today, in which we will discover that even the most-godly men are not immune from these scammers. Joshua was a godly man, and he got scammed, as persons appealed to his tender sympathies.

As the Gibeonites plotted their strategy, they used a familiar line of reasoning that would move Joshua to make a commitment that he would greatly regret in the future. In fact, they swore by a solemn oath to fulfill their pledge, even as they were outraged at the scammers, because a vow is a vow, if it is made unto God. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon the earth: therefore, let thy words be few.

3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Whenever an appeal is made on a corporate level, you can give to ADRA, your local church, and to any person that is found to be genuinely in need, for this is the law and the prophets.

However, if you were to get a call from an unknown person out of the blue who says that they and their families are suffering as the result of some natural disaster, that’s a call to prayer. The appeal shouldn’t be discredited outright, but take it to God in prayer, so that errors in judgement could be avoided.

This is what Joshua and the Hebrews failed to do for they took the story of those scammers at face value, and because it was a good thing to do, they failed to pray and ask God. Here is where the Christian might be vulnerable, because, the notion that you do not have to pray about something that is good is false.

When in proverbs chapter 3, it says in all thy ways acknowledge Him, it means exactly that, in all thy ways. We should not only take the suspect things, but also those circumstances that seem kosher to your conscience, for God can see things up ahead that we may not see, and thus, He is able to guide us with wisdom, understanding and prudence. Let’s read:

Joshua 9: 3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up;

5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and

old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.

6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, we be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.

8 And they said unto Joshua, we are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, who are you? and from whence come you?

9 And they said unto him, from a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt,

12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy:

13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.

18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, we have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.

22 And Joshua called for them, and he spoke unto them saying, wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, we are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?

23 Now therefore you are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.

If Joshua, who was loaded with The Holy Spirit could get scammed, you and I are no different, and thus, it is imperative as he head into unchartered waters for us to do our due diligence, wherever we can, for it is not the will of God that His people should suffer by the hands of satan’s agents, if it can be avoided.

The following therefore are concrete, practical steps you could take to try and preempt the unfortunate situation from happening. The instructions are not a 100% guarantee but they are the very least that you can, and should do, wherever possible.

[1] If you get an urgent call from someone you do not know and the caller presses you on some urgent matter that needs redress right away, that usually is a red flag that should put you on alert for these scammers.

Especially if they claim to be calling from your bank or other financial institution, and are requesting the most sensitive information such as checking account numbers, credit card numbers, driver’s license, and social security numbers.

Your financial institution already has those numbers and it is very unlikely that they will request them. If in doubt, hang up and call the 1-800 number on the back of your card, but under no circumstances must anyone give out personal sensitive data to unknown individuals.

[2] Beware of tactics such as urgency, where you are pressured to act immediately, in order to avoid an arrest, or to stop additional fraud from happening. It might be better to be arrested, than to have all your information in the hands of these scammers, being sold on the dark web.

[3] Beware of suggestions to keep the matter secret such as not telling you bank, or even your spouse or other family members of the issue. A request for the utmost secrecy is a definite red flag, for if you are in some type of trouble, your family and your bank are the first ones who should know about it.

[4] The demand for unusual payment methods such as Crypto, wire transfers cash and gift cards. Be very careful about clicking on links coming from any text message, E-mail, especially if they are unsolicited. If the unknown individual asks for your password, or your signature, that is usually a sign to flee.

[5] Caller I.D. in an age of artificial intelligence. The scammers could cause your financial institution’s number to actually appear on your caller I.D. If this is the case, hang up and call the institution directly and ask to speak to a real person, before doing any transaction.

[6] Last but not least, it is becoming more and more critically important for us to lead a consistent prayer life because if our hearts and minds are in tune with The Lord’s, He’ll be able to give us a heads-up more readily, than if our prayer life is generic.

It’s not that He isn’t speaking, the question is are we listening for His voice throughout the day, and in our everyday experiences. God is a Spirit, and the habits of regular earnest prayer and study of His word puts the mind in a mode in which the still small voice can be heard more readily. Let’s read:

Proverbs 3: 4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Isaiah 30: 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Especially will this be the case more and more as we head into unprecedented times, where temptations and trials of no ordinary character will be coming in from all angles and directions. In fact, there will be some situations and emergencies, where you would need God to direct you, as to what course of action to pursue.

If we habitually seek His face earnestly, God is able to reach us directly in ways that we will recognize as His voice. It might be through His providences, or it may be by His direct intervention, but we have the assurance, that He will not leave us to suffer at the hands of evil men and seducers, if we diligently seek Him.

There are temptations that are permitted to come to the Christian on occasion, but more frequently a person can invite temptation by having their guard down. Walking and living in the Spirit will make the mind much more sensitive to His voice.

We are living in increasingly perilous times, and now more than ever, we should ask The Lord to clothe us with the armory of heaven, even from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, so that the varied assaults and incursions of the prince of darkness or his agents could be averted, wherever it is the will of God.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which will help us to stay in tune with God throughout the day, for it is His will that all be well informed as to how we can live victoriously, both now and into the future. Let’s read:

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

                                      God Bless!

How To Disarm Prejudice. Sabbath afternoon 08/22/2026

Prejudice

Cambridge Dictionary: An unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge. It also means disliking a group of people for no good reason, or having an irrational dislike or hostile view of a person based on their race, religion, gender or age.

We are living in an age where prejudice is now being exercised against peoples, ethnic groups, and folks who have originated from different countries, and, just as Cambridge Dictionary stated, in many cases, there is no valid reason for harboring such a hostile view against those who are at the receiving end of the stick.

Entire communities are being prejudiced against, as hostile views are cultivated with unfounded rumors, and manipulation of the facts. It is worthy of note that the Cambridge dictionary also suggests that the hostile views against certain races, and religions are often formed without a knowledge of the facts.

In other instances, it is just the result of deeply held hatred against certain groups of people, for no valid reason. It is a very sad and regrettable situation we find ourselves in, but this the reality we are living in.

Thus, the Christian who chooses to serve The Lord, according to the dictates of conscience will also find himself or herself on the receiving end of prejudices which are meritless, and as such, it is something we will have to confront and deal with, sooner or later, in a godly manner.

We are living in very volatile times, and there is the growing tendency to get riled up or ticked off at the injustices and cruelties that are being meted out to the less fortunate daily. Now, while it’s Scriptural for the Christian to have righteous indignation, we must exercise wisdom and Godly prudence, when dealing with the issue of prejudice.

Injustices and warranted cruelties to any member of the human family should bother the Christian, for if it does not disturb the conscience, it means that the work of salvation, which makes us sensitive to right and wrong has stalled out.

What the Christians does about it is another matter, but the knowledge of grave injustices should bother you. If we live aloof from the realities on the ground and if we encase ourselves in our little cocoon, then we could become isolated, insulated, and tone deaf to the suffering of our neighbors next door.

The good Samaritan was not only deeply bothered by the cruelty and injustice he had seen, just like the Levite and the priest who also beheld the wounded man, he also took positive steps to try and mitigate the situation and he alleviated the suffering, in that stranger whom he did not know.

The religion of Christ will never make the Christian indifferent to suffering humanity. Instead, it ought to awaken sympathy and empathy, and move us to take positive Biblical steps to help out in whatever ways we can, not only by our prayers, but by ways and means that God approves of.

The religion of Christ is a hands-on experience, for it calls into active exercise our tenderest sympathies in the everyday trials and tribulations of everyday folk. That’s why God makes special mention of those who are bothered in their minds by evils that are done in the land. Let’s read:

Ezekiel 9: 4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

The ways in which we deal with volatile situations involving prejudice of any sort, would determine the outcome which in turn would determine whether or not God would be glorified or dishonored by actions taken and words that are spoken.

The Christian living in this current environment will have to learn how to keep his cool under prejudice, and the craving for justice, or the desire for revenge will have to be controlled and relinquished in some circumstances, so that the beauty of truth and the radiance of a Christlike character will shine through.

The reason for this is that situations can spin out of control very quickly if one’s raw nerves are touched, especially on the issue of unjust racial biases, which has become deeply rooted in the national psyche in some instances.

The Scripture teaches us that we should not suffer as evil doers, but if folks suffer, because of our faith, that is noteworthy. So, there will be times when you might have to grit your teeth and pray like you never prayed before while you behold situations unfolding that may be very difficult to watch.

There is a godly way to disarm prejudice, and there is an ungodly way to deal with it. The principles, ways and means that persons adopt, or subscribe to will reveal who is seated on the throne of the heart.

Some persons believe that the only way to disarm prejudice is with a baseball bat, a machete, a sword, and a bullet. Others track, what might seem to be a different course, by harboring rage and deep hatred and resentment in silence, while others might speak out against it.

The Christian has to be very careful of the ways and means he or she will adopt, for it can trigger victory or defeat in the conflict with the powers of darkness as was the case with Peter. It is one of satan’s most successful strategies to tick you off for reasons that may seem to be valid, or that are actually valid.

He did succeed in ticking Moses off, just before he entered the promised land. He also ticked off David in the wilderness, as great injustice and ingratitude was done to him and his men. He ticked off John, and his brother James, for what seemed like a valid reason, when the Samaritans refused to let Christ pass through their town.

He ticked off the apostle Paul, and Barnabas when they had a bitter argument between themselves in so much that they had to part ways. And the prince of darkness also succeeded in ticking of the entire conference when they had that first meeting in Acts chapter 15. Let’s read:

Acts 15: 37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so, Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.

You and I are not any different, and even though we may sit in church looking all nice and cute, beware, lest he also tick you off and cause you to blow a fuse in the public square, and thus, bring reproach upon the cause of Christ.

Disarming prejudice in a godly manner is something the you and me in the here and now will have to be accustomed to because very difficult days are ahead for all those who will refuse to bow. In fact, the days of earth’s final conflict for the true Christ will be the same as they were for Jacob, who was targeted with prejudice by his brother Esau.

Remember, the meaning of the word prejudice, as is rendered by Cambridge dictionary means: An unfair or unreasonable opinion or feeling, especially when formed without enough thought or knowledge.

This leads us into our study for today, because Esau had formed an unreasonable prejudice, opinion and feeling about his brother, without enough thought or knowledge, just like the meaning of the word in the Cambridge dictionary.

Jacob had spent many years in exile, and during that time he had become a changed man through God’s grace. Since the time when he fled for his life he has been baptized, and is now an elder in the church in good and regular standing, but Esau apparently did not know this.

As far as Esau knows, it’s the same old crook coming back to his old tricks of wheeling and dealing and as far as Esau is concerned, he will have none of it. He has had it up to here with Jacob, and now it is time for justice to be served. These were Esau’s thoughts of prejudice.

Thus, Esau, who had harbored hatred, and revenge for the birthright he had sold to Jacob, wasn’t in any good mood, when he learned of Jacob’s approach. All of the bad feelings and animosities he cherished for years in his heart now sprung up, and bore fruit in actions that were akin to getting even.

Jacob, knowing that he himself had practiced fraud in obtaining the birthright, was filled with reproach and remorse for the course of action he had taken, and thus, in order to preempt any malice on Esau’s part, he now takes positive remedial steps to cool down his brother’s frayed nerves.

Not only does he pray, but he does all that he can to avert the mortal threat that was heading his way. He uses words like lord, and servant, in referring to his relationship to Esau, he being the servant, and Esau being the lord, so that, if at all possible, kind words may head off what could turn into a very volatile or deadly situation. Let’s read:

Genesis 32:3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

4 And he commanded them, saying, thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; your servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now.

5 And I have oxen, asses, flocks, and menservants, and women-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.

The phrases “My lord Esau” and “Your servant Jacob speak volumes of a man in contrition, who does not want to ruffle any feathers, a man who is also willing to avoid trouble at all costs, because of previous misconceptions, skirmishes, misunderstandings, and actual misdeeds that were done in former years.

Jacob also goes a step further by basically telling his brother that he now very rich. Now, why would he tell his brother this? He speaks like this to show that he will not be a threat to Esau’s prosperity, if for any reason prejudice in his brother’s heart may have led Esau to believe that Jacob was coming back to claim his share of the pie in the will that his parents made.

At this point, we have a bit of bad news for you, for Jacob’s efforts fell on deaf ears and instead of peace he is now facing the prospect of annihilation from a family member who is bent on revenge. Let’s read:

Genesis 32:6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, we came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him.

7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;

8 And said, If Esau comes to the one company, and smites it, then the other company which is left shall escape.

There are times when soothing words do not do the trick and you just might have to go one step further in disarming prejudice. When you have a ticked off family member on your heels, you might have to go over and beyond to try to allay their concerns, even if those concerns might be unwarranted.

Sometimes, the family member may not know that you are a changed person, and thus, like Jacob, you may have to do things that you wouldn’t usually do under different circumstances. Thus, Jacob ups the game, and he determines to send several presents to his brother Esau, to show him that he really isn’t a threat to his prosperity.

According to the narrative, Jacob now goes to the nearest ATM, and he withdraws a bucket load of cash to send to Esau. He also sends Esau a number of valuable Crypto currencies and stable coins, and he divides them up into several distinct gifts, so that Esau will get the message, that he wants peace and not war.

Observe carefully how Jacob divides up the gifts and how he goes to great lengths to space them out for he is trying his best to disarm Esau’s prejudice with multiple rounds of kindnesses and contrite words.

In other words, Jacob is trying his best to make the deepest impression on Esau’s mind, that he has no bad intentions or malice in his heart, and instead he desires reconciliation, not confrontation by showing him great favor. In today’s U.S currency, Jacob sent over half a million dollars in gifts to avoid the threat of confrontation. Let’s read:

Genesis 32: 13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;

14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.

16 And he delivered them into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, pass over before me, and put a space between drove and drove.

17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meets you, and asks you, saying, whose art thou? and where goest thou? and whose are these before thee?

18 Then thou shalt say, they be thy servant Jacob's; it is a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he is behind us.

19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, on this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.

20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

However, try as he might, Esau is not buying it and he is still on his way, determined as ever to revenge the birthright which Jacob had duped his father into giving him. There are times when try as you might, you cannot get a family member off your back even after you have done your very best in speaking kind Christlike words, and parting with several crypto in an effort to make peace.

There are some folks who do not respond favorably to kindness, because the thirst for revenge prevents them from seeing your genuine efforts at making reconciliation. Thus, in order to get that proverbial monkey off your back, you will have to turn to God alone, if peradventure He may see fit to send you a Cherub to solve your problem.

This is what Jacob had to do, for all of his efforts to appease Esau had fallen on deaf ears, and therefore, in sheer desperation, he withdraws into his closet to have a serious talk with God. God then responds in the positive, and He sends a Cherub to shake down Esau from his high horse of prejudice.

There are times when you would have to leave your situation in God’s hands, for only He can deliver you from certain perilous circumstances, and since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, we can trust Him to do what He does best. Let’s read:

Genesis 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which said unto me Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff, I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, let me go, for the day is breaking. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, what is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

29 And Jacob asked him, and said, tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, wherefore is it that you ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

Apparently, the real fight was with God and not with Esau, because Jacob needed the full and complete surrender of his will to God. When Christ met him in battle at the river Jabbok, Jacob did what most of us would do in a similar situation, which is to try and choke the assailant. Thus, the question is: Have we ever fought with The Lord and prevailed?

The word ish (אִישׁ) in Hebrew means man. The word רַע (ra) in Hebrew means evil, and the word El (אֵל) in Hebrew means God. Thus, you will have Ish-Ra El or Israel, meaning that God reaches over the abyss of Ra, (Evil) which has separated God from man, and Christ takes our hand to save us by His power alone, from ourselves as well as from Esau and his hosts, or his ghosts.

If the story had ended there, we would have praised The Lord and gone our merry way rejoicing, but we came across something that is worthy of our utmost consideration. Apparently, the story isn’t only about Jacob, it is about us, who are living today, who may have to pass through similar circumstances. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 618] As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God’s people in the time of trouble. And as he accused Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete.

[The Great Controversy pp 618] Jacob’s night of anguish, when he wrestled in prayer for deliverance from the hand of Esau, represents the experience of God’s people in the time of trouble. Yet he leaves nothing undone on his own part to atone for the wrong to his brother, and to avert the threatened danger.

So should the followers of Christ, as they approach the time of trouble, make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger which threatens liberty of conscience.

The question is: What should the remnant people of God be doing to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to Disarm Prejudice? Like old Jacob, is it possible that they too may have to go to the ATM, or would they in some special cases find it necessary to shell out some Bitcoin and Crypto, as Jacob found it necessary to do?

Christians who remain trapped in debt, or who are caught up in the vicious cycle of credit, would find it necessary, sooner or later, to place themselves in a proper light before the people to disarm the type of prejudice that will be coming our way.

The beast of Revelation 13 and 14 should not find us riddled with irreconcilable debt, owing the IRS, and being late on payments that are due for that will put persons in a very compromised position, where the beast will view persons as a liability, not an asset.

If the beast views certain Christians as a liability, let it be for spiritual reasons, but not because we didn’t do our due diligence in temporal matters. When the princes of Babylon exercised prejudice against the prophet Daniel, the only problem they could find in him was prayer.

But in all other temporal matters, Daniel came out flawless, for he was not found habitually late on his payments, he was not in arrears with his landlord, and his electric bill and water bill were all on time.

In addition to this, in his political life, he did not tell any lies, he did not embezzle the public funds for his personal gain, and his immediate family members were not found to be beneficiaries of policies that he put in place as president, for he was faithful both in private and public life. Let’s read:

Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

3 Then Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault; because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

In other words, Daniel disarmed prejudice, so that if the other officials insisted on finding fault with him, it would be with his religion, not the temporal issues some Christians in our day so often stumble on.

If Daniel was found to be unfaithful on a horizontal level, very great reproach would have been brought upon the cause of God, and he most likely would’ve buckled under the heavy load of guilt. At this time it is fitting that we observe again that statement made by the servant of The Lord, for it applies to all who are preparing for crunch time. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 618] The followers of Christ, as they approach the time of trouble, should make every exertion to place themselves in a proper light before the people, to disarm prejudice, and to avert the danger which threatens liberty of conscience.

Now it’s high time that we get our act together, now is the time to tie up all loose ends, to try and mend all broken relationships, and the axe that you might have to grind with fellow members of the church, is to be addressed and put to rest, before crunch time comes around.

The reason for this is that at that time, many former members of the remnant church will be used by the prince of darkness to stir up prejudice or animosity against the faithful, in an effort to bring them down to their level.  

Remember, Esau was Jacob’s brother, they went to the same church, sat in the same Sabbath school, and received the same religious instruction from a God-fearing father and mother. Consider carefully what is being said, because sacred history has a way of repeating itself. Let’s read:

Matthew 10: 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

[Last Day Events pp 156] We have far more to fear from within than from without. Unbelievers have a right to expect that those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, will do more than any other class to promote and honor, by consistent lives, by their godly example and their active influence, the cause which they represent.

[The Great Controversy pp 608] As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition.

Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.

When Sabbath-keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.

God is more practical and down to earth in all of the instructions He gives us therefore, if there are issues that need to be addressed and resolved, whether in the temporal, spiritual, social or financial realm, the time is now when persons should appropriate those instructions given, lest in the time of testing, we are weighed in the balances, and found wanting.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which should help us better understand the urgency of the moment, and we hope and pray that God will make the rough places plain as we cooperate with Him, so that He may be glorified in His peculiar people Let’s read:

Romans 13: 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

                                      God Bless!

The Countdown To Midnight. Sabbath afternoon 08/15/2026

Matthew 24: 15>16 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whosoever reads, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.

For very many years we’ve been hearing that Jesus is coming soon. Some have preached it and haven’t witnessed the event, but have passed on. Others in our day believe it, while some wonder how soon is soon. Even though as Christians we should not live by time lines, the predicted event would eventually take place, in the fulness of time.

God’s plans know no haste or delay and therefore, He bids us live in readiness, because the event will occur at a time when most people are not expecting it. The first passage we read in Matthew was Christ’s response to three questions posed by His disciples, after He predicted the destruction of the temple at Jerusalem which, at that time was the pride and joy of the nation.

When Jesus told them that it would be razed to the ground, they were taken aback, and the questions which followed were a reflection of the surprise and consternation they experienced at His predictions. It was a threefold question they asked and the answer Christ gave them has a twofold meaning. Let’s read:

Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

2 And Jesus said unto them, see you not all these things? verily I say unto you, there shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Christ then gave them the specific sign to look for so that they would know for sure, when the event was just around the corner. They were to look out for the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet. And when they beheld that sign, they were to flee immediately with no delay.

They were not to try to put their houses in order as the sign was being fulfilled, they were not to try to tie up loose ends, neither were they to try to sell their homes in haste, in a sort of fire sale. They were to leave immediately, with only the clothes on their backs.

That is how urgent and serious the instruction was, and if any were to defer obedience for any reason, they would be consumed in the conflagration that was scheduled to engulf the city.

Sometimes the instructions or commands God gives in an emergency might seem quite difficult for some individuals to obey, especially to the logical thinking mind, but it would be of the utmost importance for us to obey promptly.

When the Hebrews were scheduled to leave Egypt, in the wee hours of the morning, they did not have time to sell their homes. They were then instructed to eat the Passover in haste, with their sandals and their Jordans on, and thus, they left a lot of stuff behind, furniture, cars, and the whole nine yards.  Let’s read:

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso reads, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house.

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

Some Christians, in anticipation of Jesus’ given sign were free to move out before, if they chose to, but if they decided to stay until the sign was fulfilled, it would have become necessary to flee immediately, without looking back, very similar to that urgent command given to Lot and his wife to leave Sodom.

When the command was given for Lot and his wife to flee, their various investments and their temporal interests had to be left unattended. To put it plainly in today’s vernacular, their Bitcoin, and investments on Wall Street, which were scheduled for maturity at some future date, had to be left hanging in limbo because there was no time left to wind them down.

There are not many Christians who could, or would obey a sudden command like that, because to turn your back at such a short notice on all that you have worked for all your life, can prove to be much more than some persons could handle.

That’s the reason why so many of the Hebrews kept looking back at their life in Egypt, because, bad as it was, they had sunk their roots quite deeply into the Egyptian economy, and as they would reminisce in retrospect, murmuring, and complaining began to arise.

Some remnant Christians will find it difficult to wind down operations and businesses in the final conflict, because they have sunk their roots so deep into the various ventures and investments that are on the menu today. There is nothing wrong with investing, but just remember, if for some reason you have to leave suddenly, this world is not our home.

Again, in the anticipation of the given sign in our day some believers might choose to relocate before the big one hits, but if some choose to remain until the sign is right upon us, then they may have to prepare to leave in haste, without looking back.

In our day, every sign given in the Bible, pointing to the coming abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet is currently taking place and thus there is only one more shoe to drop.

As we study the signs given, pointing to the coming of the abomination of desolation, we ought to ask ourselves: How soon is soon? Is it some time, in the distant future, or is it in the near future? Let’s read:

Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must  come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in different places.

Let us break down the signs, and as we do, try your best to avoid burying your heads in the sand. When Jesus predicts that “Many” shall come in His name, saying I am Christ” that’s not only a reference to the great final deception by the prince of darkness, who is scheduled to make literal appearances worldwide.

It is also a reference to the many preachers and the many televangelists who all claim to be preaching of Christ, when in fact the greater majority by far, have not been sent by Him. For a person to come in Jesus’ name simply means that they claim to be sent by God, when indeed this may not be the case.

Then again you have the sign of “Wars and rumors of wars”. Not only are there several wars currently taking place at the same time, but you also have the rumors of war swirling around. On numerous recent occasions, threats have been made to obliterate Iran, but those threats turned out to be only rumors.

There are more than 120 wars, and armed conflicts taking place in the world currently and there’s much social unrest and upheaval taking place in different parts of the earth. Thus, just as The Lord predicted, there are wars and rumors of wars that are running concurrently now.

Again, Jesus declares that nations shall rise against nations, and that is also taking place as we speak. Russia has risen against Ukraine, and vice versa. In the Middle east, Israel, Palestinians and Hezbollah, have risen against each other, in what has turned out to be a tit for tat ongoing conflict with no end in sight.

The Houthis in Yemen have risen against countries in the region, and Somalians have risen against the rebels of Al Shabab, and there are ongoing conflicts between several countries and there are factions, in Cameroon, Sudan, Venezuela, Mozambique, and in Haiti.

Therefore, when Christ says that nations shall rise against nations, we are living it currently in the here and now. Again, the prophecy states that there will be famine which is very often the result of drought, or a lack of water.

At the same time all of the previous signs are being fulfilled, Lake Mead and Lake Powell, which are fed by the Colorado river, are running dangerously low, in so much that both of them are at their lowest point since they were first filled, sitting at 27% and 23% respectively, of their full capacity.

States are looking at the very real possibility of the hydro electric powerplants that are being fed by the Colorado river, may have to be taken offline, if there is no change in the issues of replenishing the dams, such as abundant rainfall, snow melt, and snow pack.

In Europe, some ski resorts have had to close, since there wasn’t enough snow to make business viable. And across the entire globe, rivers and water assets are diminishing at an alarming pace, with no end in sight.

This will of course trigger significant ripple effects for farmers and ranchers who depend on water for livestock and grain. Millions upon millions of people across the world are suffering acute hunger as the result of the lack of water, and the wildfires at home and abroad are just symptoms of a world gone wild.

In fact, the deadly wildfires in Europe and across the United States and Canada and also in different parts of the earth, represent the fulfilment of prophecies, regardless of what the cause may be. In the book of Isaiah in particular, he specifies that great heat will be one of the signs of the last days.

Therefore, whether it be because of global warming or climate change, whether it be because of arsons, or any other manmade causes, the fact remains that an increasingly heated environment will continue to characterize the days that lead to the establishment of the abomination of desolation, which is spoken of by Daniel the prophet. Let’s read:

Isaiah 4: 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Isaiah 24: 5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Then again, the prophecy states that there will be earthquakes in different places, an undeniable fact of the here and now. So far for this year, there have been about 77 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.0 and greater, not to mention the one that took place recently in Colombia while we were writing out this Bible study.

And we can go on and on and on, but since we are not to focus on the negatives too much, we will say that to any rational thinking person, the predictions given in Matthew 24 are lining up with the realities on the ground and therefore, we cannot, and should not reason away the fact that end time prophecies are being fulfilled.

Another sign that is given in the Scriptures, as it pertains to the final conflict, is that “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come.

Adventist World Radio, and its associated programs are currently available in every almost country on earth. There are very few countries where you will not find a remnant footprint online or on shortwave Am/Fm radio.

Some may argue that there have been earthquakes, and wars throughout history, and pestilences, such as the bubonic plague and Covid have all come and gone, so what’s different about those signs given by Jesus in Matthew 24?

The difference hinges on three things: Frequency, Intensity, and Convergence. Frequency, in that the signs are multiplying rapidly, Intensity, because the signs are increasing in severity, and Convergence, because they will be taking place in quick succession at the same time.

They are likened unto a woman in childbirth where the birth pangs increase in intensity and severity, as the day for her delivery draws near. Similarly, what we are seeing currently on the world stage are the birth pangs of something cataclysmic, that will end in the 2nd coming of Jesus. Let’s read:

1st Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times, and seasons brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

There are times during a woman’s pregnancy when she may experience some level of discomfort such as morning sickness, and vomiting, within the first trimester. And as the pregnancy increases, there are other marked changes that take place in her body.

However, as the delivery date draws near, her labor pains increase dramatically, both in frequency and intensity and she has to be on full alert, because her water could break at any moment.

Finally, things reach a point of no return, when she has to head to the hospital because her delivery is imminent. In other words, it’s just about time for us to head to the hospital, that’s how close we are.

Therefore, we must focus our lasers on the question that was posed by the disciples: When shall these things be?” so that the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet would not catch us off guard. Let us consider it carefully, as we go into the Bible study. Let’s read:

Matthew 24: 15>16 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whosoever reads, let him understand:) then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.

Question: What is the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet?

Answer: The abomination of desolation refers to the pagan Roman banner that would be planted on the territories belonging to the Jews. This would then signal an imminent, catastrophic invasion.

Daniel links the word abomination with desolation and consummation, signaling that the planting of the Roman flag on Jewish soil will come with a lot of catastrophic destruction. This would also bring the daily ministration in the temple to a screeching halt because Christ predicted that not one stone would be left upon another.

Thus, if according to Christ’s prophecy on the Jewish temple one stone would not be left upon another, it means that the sanctuary services that took place in it daily, would have a tragic end. After the veil of the temple was rent in two by unseen hands at the time that Christ died on Calvary, daily sanctuary services had continued until Cestius and Titus entered. Let’s read:

Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Daniel 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.

Daniel 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

Then again, Jesus makes it quite plain so that no one would have any doubt as to what the desolation will refer to. The abomination will be the pagan insignia of Rome, set up on Jewish soil, and that will signal a coming destruction by the Roman armies. It is very plain in the Scriptures, so that even your tweenager could understand. Let’s read:

Luke 21:20 And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.

And so said so done, because the Roman Cestius first came and planted the pagan banner just on the outskirts of Jerusalem, and then later on Titus came to finish them off, in the destruction and desolation that ensued, by which the temple was reduced to ruins in the great conflagration, that killed almost a million people, according to some estimates.

But, as was stated before, the prophecy of Christ as it pertains to the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, would have another future fulfillment, because the questions posed by Christ’s disciples included what would be the sign of the end of the world.

Therefore, if the first fulfillment included the Roman banner being planted in the holy place, then we are to expect a repeat of the same thing when our turn comes around. Thus, the question is What is Rome’s banner and insignia in our day, so that we will know what to look for?

Without a doubt, it is Sunday, the day of rest which almost all contemporary Christians have subscribed to, and for which there is no Scriptural authority. In fact, both Cestius and Titus declare that there is no Biblical authority for Sunday worship, yet, almost all evangelicals and protestants have adopted it as the official day of rest.

Very many are sincere-hearted, and may have done so without knowing what is at stake, thus Titus and Cestius are asking what are they protesting about if almost all Christendom has signed on to something that’s nowhere to be found in the Bible? Let’s read:

Priest Brady, in an address, reported in the Elizabeth NJ 'News' on March 18, 1903: It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.”

The Roman Catechism: 2189 "Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (⇒ Deut. 5:12) "The seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord" (⇒ Ex 31:15).

[Test. Vol. 5 pp 464] As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation [the United States] in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.

Question: What will drive the lamblike beast to do such a thing as to coerce the citizenry to worship on a day that God neither recognizes or endorses?

Answer: It will be the preponderance of wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes in different places, and famines, pestilences, wildfires, and drought, which present perplexities, for which there is no answer. It will then be declared that America has to turn back to God, to bring back a situation of peace, stability, and tranquility. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 590] 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.

Several countries already enforce Sunday closing laws or "blue laws”. Prominent among these are Germany, Switzerland, and Tonga, which mandate strict rest periods and commercial closures. Others include Austria, Norway, Poland, and Croatia.

And right here in the United States and Canada, you have localized "Sunday blue laws" that vary by state and province, which typically limit the sale of booze or might restrict car dealerships, and certain types of manual labor on Sundays.

That’s the reason why The Lord says to us that there is only one more shoe to drop meaning that through the legislative branches of government, the issue of a national day of rest would eventually become the law of the land, and will be enforced via the mark of the beast, referenced in Revelation chapter 13.

All of the players are already on the stage, and the handwriting is on the wall, so that every thinking person may investigate and find out for themselves, whether those things are so. This is the issue that we are hurtling towards, and God, in His mercy, will grant the outpouring of His Holy Spirit to illuminate every mind on the issues at stake.

Most of God’s true people currently sit in Sunday churches, for this truth has not yet penetrated the minds of many persons. God knows this, and He will not leave any stone unturned, until every sincere- hearted individual would be enlightened on this matter.

We invite and encourage all of our Sunday keeping brethren to discover this truth for yourselves, and The God of heaven would grant the necessary grace and mercy, for you to make the switch back to the original, and only day of rest God recognizes.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that would encourage everyone to do the right thing, for God is merciful, and He earnestly desires that every person should come to repentance. Let’s read:

Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

                                    God Bless!

Surgeries God Approves Of. Sabbath afternoon 08/08/2026

Genesis 2: 21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

According to our first passage, Jesus Christ was the first Person to introduce surgery on our planet. This is not something that man discovered, it was Jesus who performed the first operation. Not only did He do the first surgery, He also has a number of firsts on His resume.

When we sing that song: “To God be the glory” we should sing it with the understanding, because man often takes credit for things which have originated with God, and thus, hardly any mention or reference is made of His name, or His wonderful work.

Christ was also the first Person to introduce ship building, and navigation, the concept of flying also came from Him and many other firsts too numerous for us to mention. God introduced clothing, leather, tailoring, and irrigation. In fact, wheresoever there is anything that is good, Jesus is the original source. Let’s read:

Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Genesis 2:6 There went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.

[Christ’s Object Lessons pp 349] All right inventions and improvements have their source in Him who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working.

Jesus first introduced radar, He introduced GPS, and the idea of hovering in mid-air without moving also originated with Him. Many of the things man claims to have invented actually originated with Christ, but you almost never hear persons giving Him the credit and the glory for such things.

In our culture, and in very many cultures around the world, it is customary for the woman to take on the name of her husband, so that for instance, you will have brother Richard and Shelley Mckenzie.

That is something that also originated with God, for as was stated before, many of the things we do, and sometimes take for granted, have originated with Him. Let’s read:

Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

After forming Adam from the dust of the earth, God caused all the animals to pass before him, to see the extent of Adam’s intelligence, in naming the animals he would see for the very first time. And as he gave them the correct names, Adam observed a pattern emerging.

All of the animals had their soul mate, the male with his female but for Adam there was none. Eve wasn’t an afterthought, because God had planned to create Adam’s soul mate in the fullness of time, but like He often does, He permitted Adam to realize his needs first, so that the fulfilment thereof would then be greatly appreciated.

God could have formed Eve only from the dust, just as He did with Adam, but it was His good purpose to create her, using raw materials from Adam, coupled together with dust, and God did so for a number of good reasons.

When Christ created Adam, He made him with 25 ribs, that extra one being designated for surgical removal to create Eve. Thus, deliberate planning and forethought went into the first surgery, similar to how surgeons in our day plan and strategize well, before performing surgical procedures. It all comes from God.

Thus, when God brought Eve to Adam, after He had awakened out of surgery, Adam recognized in her an essential part of himself, and that is the reason why she was called woman, for she was taken out from man.

The Lord also opened a flood of knowledge to the human family that would be used for our benefit in the medical field by persons He has blessed with the wisdom and knowledge to follow where He has led the way in surgical procedures.

The concept of putting persons to sleep before they have surgery, so that they would remain in a state of unconsciousness, until after the procedure is done, originated with Christ, for the Scripture teaches us that there is nothing new under the sun. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 1: 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there anything whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

That’s the reason why He is referred to as The Great Physician, for every right practice, concept and all so called discoveries in medicine, have their origination in Him.

This is the reason why when Jesus was on this earth, He could heal everyone of any disease, whether it’s a fever, malady, mental illness, or physical disability, he healed them all, for He not only created us, He is also the greatest and best Physician.

That’s why God asks the following question, even as He looks down from heaven and is concerned as the inhabitants of the earth turn to alternative ways and means in medicines and surgeries, as they too often leave Him out of the picture, as if He does not know what He is doing. Let’s read:

Jeremiah 8: 22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

When He introduced the concept of surgery, He did so to meet a necessity, and thus, He shows us that it is right and wise to have surgical procedures, where there is a need. God has also blessed certain people with gifts and talents in the medical field, to be used in harmony with Biblical principles. Let’s read:

Psalms 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men, yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

[Christ’s Object Lessons pp 349] The skillful touch of the physician’s hand, his power over nerves, and muscles, his knowledge of the delicate organism of the body is the wisdom of divine power, to be used in behalf of the suffering.

Thus, God approves of surgery, wherever it is for the benefit of humanity, and wherever it is employed to fill a valid need. In our day, the Christian is facing an increasing array of options as it pertains to the issue of surgery. Some of the options are good and approved of God, others, not so much.

There are many cases where surgical procedures are warranted, in order to save life, and to reconstruct a damaged body part after an accident. There are hip, and knee replacements for persons who struggle on issues of the bones, and joints, and there are heart surgeries, where lives have been definitely saved by invasive procedures, and God approves of these.

But like with every good thing God has given to us, surgery can, and is in many cases, being abused and manipulated to suit the whims and fancy of persons without the good purposes God originally intended, and we who live in the 21st century should have a very clear understanding of God’s will on the issue.

Knowing what is on the menu, and the grim effects unwarranted surgeries are having on persons would shed light on the valid reasons why the issue has to now be addressed. Persons are opting for elective surgical procedures, for no other reason than some celebrity or influencer on Tik Tok had the procedure.

The Clavicular syndrome is driving some youth to do things they never would have dared to do, were it not for the phenomena of influencers who fuel the desire to enhance outward appearance.

It is one of satan’s most successful snares to tempt persons to believe that they are never good enough. Thus, persons often become trapped in the cycle of chasing after the latest look, just to be accepted by society and many are driven to the operating room unnecessarily to alter, remove or make add-ons that God never approved.

In fact, the concept of not being good enough or not being satisfied with how you were made, is found in the first temptation that Eve had succumbed to. And ever since that day, the populations of earth have in many instances suffered greatly, as persons feel they must reach the gold standard, set by those who are living in Hollywood.

And when persons begin to think they are deficient, or they do not meet the gold standard of the latest and newest thing, they often go on to suffer from an inferiority complex, from which many never recover.

The young and restless are particularly vulnerable as they are bombarded with the Kardashian/Clavicular syndrome, where one is never satisfied with oneself. As a result, you have a multitude of cosmetic, plastic and elective surgeries that are totally unnecessary, and which God does not approve of.

You now have a plethora of surgical procedures that God never intended, the knowledge He imparted in the garden of Eden, to be used for. There are eyelid surgeries Blepharoplasty, eyelid and arm lifts, there are cheek, lip and breast implants, using materials in some cases that should never enter the body.

Then there are chemical peels, lip augmentations, gender affirming or in some cases disaffirming types of surgery, then you have facial sculpting, fillers, fat transfers, transgender surgical procedures, and the notorious Brazilian butt lift, just to mention a few.

Some of the raw materials used in many cosmetic or elective surgeries would surprise you, if you were to find out where they come from. There is silicone for various implants, collagen obtained from connective tissue of animals such as Achilles tendon from cows and other Bovines.

Then there is bio protein glue, made from the blood of animals, Botox, plastics, Titanium, various fillers, and polymers, and there are materials sourced from human tissue banks, facilities that harvest, store and process human tissue from living and deceased folk. These range from skin and tendons, to bones, and eyeballs just to name a few.

There are also donor pigs which are currently being bred for the purpose of heart transplant in humans. One such incident took place with David Bennet, at the Maryland Medical Center, who died two months later from complications. The donor pig’s genes had been edited, for compatibility with human beings.

Thus, there are serious moral, and ethical questions as to how far a person is willing to go to live. Would the ends justify the means in every situation, or will there be times when folks will have to hit pause and ask: Wait a minute! Does God really approve of this surgery, if it will involve morphing the living patient with unclean dead animals?

To what lengths are we willing to go to preserve life, and if in some instances, the preservation of life will involve cross purposes with God’s revealed will, is it then a yes or a no for the Christian? In other words, if preserving life involves disobedience, should the Christian move forward with it?

Then, there is a dark underworld, lucrative business of organ harvesting, where kidneys, livers, hearts, and other organs are harvested both by consent and without one’s consent and in certain countries there is a mandatory organ harvesting from prisoners, and other despised ethnic groups, to fuel the trade.

There is a very high and growing demand for certain organs and because demand has outstripped supply in too many cases, the business of organ harvesting is booming. For instance, an individual patient could find himself or herself waiting up to five years for a kidney.

In some instances, organs were harvested from folks who were still living, and in Alabama, it was found that inmates in the prison system had their organs removed after death, without their families knowing what had taken place.

Thus, what God originally gave us, as something to be used only when necessary, has morphed into a multibillion industry, and with very little oversight in some developing countries, third world countries, or in far east countries.

God could never approve of such surgeries where organs of nonconsenting individuals are bought and sold on the black market for cash. That is why God says that the abuse of something good is taking place, and has to be addressed by the Christian who is living today.

It is an undeniable fact, that every good thing God has given us, would inevitably be perverted by the prince of darkness, and even though we should not throw out the baby with the bath water, we should seek guidance from God, and His word whenever a surgery becomes necessary.

Thus, the Bible study for today will focus on guiding principles to be observed, whenever the Christian is considering surgery, so that God’s approval may rest upon the procedure.

[1] Whatever you need to do, and whatsoever you plan to do, as far as surgery is concerned, it is highly recommended that persons check in with The Great Physician first so that he can direct the human agent in the procedure.

Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

It is a good idea to consult with God first before you consult with your doctor or surgeon, for by so doing you will have asked The Lord to take control of that situation up front. Thus, however it may turn out, at least you will have had the assurance that you asked God first, and this will give you confidence to pray, if any complications arise.

[2] Avoid unnecessary surgery if you can, especially those that are done just to be fashionable and those that endeavor to change one’s gender.

1st Corinthians 6:19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?

20 For you are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's.

[3] Wherever it is possible, allow naturally occurring materials to be used, that will be more in harmony with the human body.

Genesis 2:21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof.

John 9: 6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

7 And said unto him Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

2nd Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed…. 7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

2nd Kings 5:10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Exodus 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, what shall we drink?

25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26 And said, if thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight and 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 heals thee.

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

[4] Prevention is always better than cure.

There is an overabundance of knowledge God has caused to be shed upon the world, especially within the remnant church, so that wherever it is possible surgeries could be avoided. It is not God’s will that our bodies should be invaded with foreign materials if it can be avoided.

Godly wisdom and prudence could in many cases be very helpful in averting surgical procedures. And the information given has been certified by science. The kidneys, and other vital organs should be given the attention they deserve, by proper diet and exercise to help maintain them in the very best condition.

Many individuals struggle with weight, and obesity and many GLPs and other drugs are now available to help with this issue. Liposuction is another way that excessive fat can be removed, but all of these helps will avail nothing if there isn’t well directed effort in positive lifestyle changes.

Faith in God, in matters of health includes diet and exercise, because faith without works is dead. The many surgical procedures available today should be viewed as a very last option, with prevention being your watchword, wherever possible.

God will grant grace where needed and if asked for, but the information given on surgeries that The Lord approves, should be studied carefully before rushing in where angels fear to tread.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which should serve as the general guideline for all we do, because it is God’s will that persons prosper and be in health, even as our souls prosper. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10: 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

                                    God Bless!

When God’s Timing And Ours Differ. Sabbath afternoon 08/01/2026

Psalms 27: 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Learning to wait on The Lord is the most important characteristic that is needed as persons prepare for crunch time. Exercising godly patience with the right attitude, will be necessary in order to survive last day events, and the terrors that will be obtaining as a result of the fulfillment of end time prophecy.

The impatience that is manifested in our experience too often, and the hastiness that oozes out naturally from some believers is alarming, and if God were to

show us our real attitudes as we interact with fellow mortals, it will give us pause for concern.

When the Psalmist instructs us to wait upon God, he is not only referring to literal time periods, he is also speaking of the attitudes and moods with which we wait. Some persons wait, because they are forced to wait, but during the interim periods, some become restless and irritated, while others may murmur and complain, even as they wait.

It is often during those waiting periods that we may become vulnerable to the assaults of the prince of darkness, as he tempts us to become frustrated and fed up with God, and as a result, his alternatives to waiting often seem as the best option on the table.

We are not saying these things lightly because we’re speaking as persons who have been shot in the foot with the word of truth, and after observing patterns of impatience manifested by many of the faithful in ages past, we have concluded that as mortals we do have a problem with waiting on God.

In fact, very many of the failures of God’s people in times past were due to their impatience, which then led to complaining, and consequently rebellion, for whenever persons become upset, while waiting on God, failure is often right around the corner.

These mixed up moods and attitudes will need to be corrected, and uprooted from our hearts before the final conflict of the ages bursts upon us, because at that time, patience will be one of the most valuable assets to the remnant, according to the Bible.

Of all the characteristics that are mentioned in first Corinthians 13 patience is the only one that surfaces In Revelation 14, at a time when the mark of the son of perdition has spread its tentacles across the land. It isn’t love, or charity, or generosity, or kindness, or mercy that is mentioned; it’s patience manifested in a living faith in God. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Persons may be able to expound for hours on the 28 fundamental doctrines of the church, while others may be able to point to genuine works of charity like Dorcas, but without patience, it will be very difficult to survive in the evil day.

There is something such as a kind, loving impatient Christian, and there are preachers who may have baptized a lot of souls, but if the discipline of spirit that comes with a consistent exercise of patience in waiting upon God is not materialized, persons will be in danger of turning back when the heat of the furnace is turned up several notches.

Several examples in the Scriptures tell us beyond all doubt, that waiting upon God constitutes one of the main problems that needs to addressed in the lives of all who believe and as we study sacred history we will discover that very often we have been walking in the shoes of those who have gone before.

We begin with the father of the faithful and his wife, who were tested upon this point and failed when it seemed as if God was taking too long. The promise was made to Abraham and Sarah, that they would have a son, and they believed God at the first.

But as many years went by, and nothing seemed to be happening, they began to wonder how long will be reasonable for them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise. One year, two years, twenty years? As time passed by, Sarah became restless, and uneasy.

And in that frame of mind, she became ripe for one of the favorite, and most successful assaults of the devil. Sarah watched in sheer dismay as menopause set in, and based upon science as we know it, the logic of the prince of darkness began to make sense.

The Christian must beware lest logic becomes the director of your faith, because many will stumble on the issue of rational reasoning, when it comes time to wait upon God. In fact, when you think about it closely, most of the heroes of faith accomplished the seemingly impossible, against all logic to the contrary.

God through Joshua and Gideon shook down armies with trumpets, choirs were put in front of armies, to bring about victory through God, and the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea on foot. As the strait of Hormuz is currently blockaded, persons would be surprised if they saw folks crossing the strait on foot, while oil tankers are stuck.

Waiting upon God brings the impossible into view, and the impossible will characterize the experiences of the remnant during crunch time, but we will first have to learn how to wait upon God. This is the very important lesson that Abraham, and Sarah learned the hard way, and the results of their failures remain to this day.

Recently, the president of the United States called on Saudi Arabia to sign onto the Abraham accord, as a prerequisite to allowing nuclear developments in that country. But have you ever wondered why the name of Abraham is in the accord? It sends us back to the time when he failed to wait upon God. Let’s read:

WASHINGTON (AP) — The President on Thursday appeared to add a condition to the newly signed agreement with Saudi Arabia for a civilian nuclear program, saying the deal would require the kingdom to normalize its relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords.

Accord meaning: Merriam Webster dictionary: To bring into agreement: reconcile: to be consistent or in harmony: to agree, to arrive at an agreement.

Genesis 15:2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is my heir.

4 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

And thus, they waited and waited and waited. Both of them were well into their retirement years when the initial promise was given, but they believed God anyway. Sarah was about 65 years old and Abraham was about 75 years, and they waited and waited.

One year passes by, two years three years four years and nothing happens. Five years elapse, and still no child. Sarah is becoming a bit restless and nervous, for time is slipping away and nothing is happening.

Eight years, nine years, and then in desperation, in the tenth year she says you know what, the promise of God would never be fulfilled, and in that frame of mind she becomes ripe for plan B. Note carefully, in the following passages, the conclusion she has come to, and the subsequent logical substitute suggestion to her impatience. Let’s read:

Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

3 And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.

The same issue of impatience plagued the children of Israel over and over again, especially when they were encountering difficulties. For example, Moses instructed them to gather the Manna daily, and if any was left over it would become worms.

Some of them did not take kindly to waiting upon God for their daily food, and they decided to keep leftovers until the following day. If we are permitted to pass through crunch time, our patience would be exercised in waiting on The Lord for our daily bread.

And, with our habits of independence, going to the neighborhood Publix, without having to report to anyone, it may seem too much to wait on God for a meal, during the coming crisis. That is why we are to put our feet in their shoes to see if our reactions will be any different.

And if we discover similarities in impatience, now is the time to confess and forsake the sin of hastiness, because very often, history has a way of repeating itself. Let’s read:

Exodus 16: 19 And Moses said, let no man leave of it till the morning.

20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them.

The same issue occurred again with Abishai, one of David’s bodyguards, when they stumbled upon Saul and his men, sleeping undisturbed in the cave. The situation seemed to suggest that the time had come for retribution against Saul, for all the signs pointed to God’s providence, apparently opening a way for David to seek vengeance.

And instead of waiting on The Lord for guidance the brave soldier would have beheaded Saul, were it not for the restraining words spoken by David, who saw it fit to wait instead. There are many times when the haste in which we do things in the temporal realm may backfire, if we didn’t wait upon God. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 26: 7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.

8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.

9 And David said to Abishai, destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?

10 David said furthermore, As the Lord lives, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.

Again, the blunder of Saul on the issue of hastiness, is the same problem on which so many persons had fallen previously. In that instance he was instructed to wait for seven days, for Samuel to come and offer the sacrifice, before going into battle.

But as is so often the case, the situation obtaining on the ground, drove Saul into panic mode, and he decided to take matters into his own hands, because in this instance he had waited the stipulated time. Observe how the situation on the ground triggers a response of unease and restlessness in Saul. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 13:6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait for the people were distressed, then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

7 And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

8 And he tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel had appointed: but Samuel came not to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.

After studying numerous accounts of impatience in sacred history, it seems as if very serious blunders often occur right around the corner from hastiness. The problem with Saul wasn’t that he did not wait, it was the attitude he displayed while waiting which did him in.

If in some desperate situation you were to wait on The Lord, all the while you are, fussing and cussing, in a bad mood, uttering words of unbelief with your feathers all ruffled, you will not have waited on God even if the stipulated time was observed.

God is a Spirit, and the attitude with which we wait is just as important as any stipulated timeframe He may give. In other words, if you are waiting on God for an answer, and you find yourself becoming very fretted and vexed with Him, that type of waiting will not be recognized as the patience of the saints, for it comes tainted with worry, anxiety, and care. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you came not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

12 Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the Lord: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.

13 And Samuel said to Saul, you have done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.

From studying numerous accounts on impatience in sacred history, it seems as if very serious blunders are often right around the corner from patience.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 617] Before the time appointed by the prophet had fully expired, he became impatient at the delay and allowed himself to be discouraged by the trying circumstances that surrounded him.  

Instead of faithfully seeking to prepare the people for the service that Samuel was coming to perform, he indulged in unbelief and foreboding.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 618] With growing impatience he awaited the arrival of Samuel and attributed the confusion and distress and desertion of his army to the absence of the prophet. The appointed time came, but the man of God did not immediately appear.

God’s providence had detained His servant. But Saul’s restless, impulsive spirit would no longer be restrained. Feeling that something must be done to calm the fears of the people, he determined to summon an assembly for religious service, and by sacrifice entreat the divine aid.

From studying numerous accounts on impatience in sacred history, it seems as if very serious blunders are often right around the corner from frustrations that come about when God’s timing and ours differ.

This leads us into the Bible study, because the study of Christ’s first temptation in the wilderness, which was on the issue of food, will have a direct bearing on all those who will be passing through the time of trouble. This is the temptation on which Adam and Eve fell, and it is the one over which we will have to gain the victory in our Christian experience.

As Christians, we might manifest patience in other areas that may not matter to us as much, but when it comes to food, they say a hungry man is an angry man. That’s what folks say, but during crunch time, a hungry man cannot be an angry man.

We would need to be victorious on this point, by manifesting patience if and when God’s timing, and ours may differ. Jesus was tempted on the timing of God’s deliverance, because God has made promises pertaining to our daily bread. The question is: When will the food truck be coming Christ’s way?

Would the food truck show up as soon as Jesus gets hungry, two days after He gets hungry, or will it wait ten, twenty, or thirty days before it drives by with a bunch of hot Tacos? Would Jesus, like Sarah become restless and decide that the food truck isn’t coming.

Or would Jesus, like king Saul become all fretted and moody, and angry at God because, like Samuel, the food truck doesn’t show up on time? What does on time mean anyway? Is it at the first sign of hunger, is it several days into the fast, or is it in the fullness of God’s timing?

What would you consider a reasonable time frame for the truck to drive by with His lunch? It has to do with timing, when God’s timing and ours differ. Let’s read:

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungry.

3 And when the tempter came to him he said, If You be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Jesus believed that relief would come, and thus, He waited and waited and waited, until God saw fit to send the food truck with His Tacos. Jesus would not succumb to satan’s temptations on reasonableness, nor would He become moody and restless if logical modes of thought collide with faith.

Jesus’ patience was open-ended, leaving the correct timing with God, and even though it was a grueling trial of no ordinary nature, He remained calm and resilient, even as the pangs of hunger gnawed at His stomach. Let’s read:

Matthew 4:11 Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

[D.A. pp121] He awaited God’s time to bring relief.

When you read in Revelation of the patience of the saints and the faith of Jesus, we must understand it in the context of food, because, it began with food and it will end with food. God has promised bread and water during crunch time, but we must get into the habit of leaving the issue of timing with Him. Let’s read:

Isaiah 33: 16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

In the book of 1st Corinthians, we are instructed to study carefully the children of Israel as they dealt with God’s timing on the issue of food and drink. In their experiences, the food truck didn’t always show up on time, and very often, when this was the case, they would throw a temper tantrum and they would indulge bad moods. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10: 11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Observe carefully how the Hebrews’ mood would go into a tailspin very often when their food truck is no where to be seen for the moment. Panic mode and irritability would often set in, and in some instances, they would get violent, and their patience would wear thin.

We may look back and say that was those guys, but in our own experiences, is it true that we also fail to manifest the patience of the saints, especially when we may have deadlines, or urgent matters, or worse yet, when our own food truck doesn’t show up at a reasonable time? Let’s read:

Exodus 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; because you have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

Exodus 15: 22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore, the name of it was called Marah.

24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

Exodus 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?

3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

[G.C. pp 621] 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. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time.

Question: How do we prepare for that time? Do we prepare by practicing to go without food for many days, incrementally? Until we reach forty? Or should we ask God to give us patience? You can ask, but we do not recommend asking for patience.

Instead, if we know that we are not manifesting the patience of the saints in our everyday experiences, we should first confess our sin to God and leave Him alone so that He might do His good work in us in His own time and way.

This will call for an acknowledgement of our failures and it will call for surrender. Thus, we may ask God for grace and strength in time of need, but for us to tell Him what to do, and when to do it, will in most cases be asking for trouble.

Recently, I had a scheduled appointment to meet, and as the time drew near, I found myself driving in Hialeah, behind two drivers who seemed to be on vacation, for they were taking their time and driving so slowly in front of me, on a one-way street.

As the time for the appointment drew near, I found myself growing increasingly restless and impatient at the two drivers, so like Sarah, I began to look for a plan B. Up ahead I saw a traffic light where I could turn onto another street to get out from behind these drivers.

But at the traffic light, one continued going straight whilst the other one turned in front of me, and was driving slowly on my off ramp. Later on, as the Bible study was being written out, it dawned in my mind that the patience of the saints was lacking that day, so I had to stop writing and go have a talk with God.

Confession was made and I asked Him to alert me to those times where I may be on the verge of getting impatient. Not long after I had another appointment but this time rain was scheduled to start shortly and I tried to beat it so that I could do what I had to do.

But then I found myself driving behind another one of those Hialeah drivers, and The Lord sent a strong signal into my mind that I was about to lose it again. He then gave me the strength that was sufficient for the situation, and the scheduled rain never fell. God is good!

The preparation for the difficult days ahead involves cultivating right attitudes when we are brought into straitened places. Remember, that even though Saul had waited, his mixed up moods and attitudes were not of the kind God could approve of.

The next time we find ourselves in a situation where something important is delayed, like we have to go somewhere for a particular time, and we get stuck in traffic and a Hialeah driver is texting on his phone in front of us while the light turns green and he isn’t moving.

Observe carefully if there’s a change in your attitude where you become very restless angry, go into panic mode, and complain of the way God is choosing to prepare you.

In other words, if our feathers become ruffled when in straitened circumstances, that is a call to prayer, because victory on this particular point is needed, in preparation for the days ahead, where the heat of the furnace will be turned up several notches.

God will grant us the grace and strength that we will need, but we must confess that we have a problem on patience, if indeed that is the case. We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which reaffirms the issue of waiting on God’s timing and let’s remember that practice makes perfect. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

                                    God Bless!

What It Means To Sit In God’s Seat. Sabbath afternoon 07/25/2026

2nd Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there comes a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Sitting in the seat of God is something that no man, or any created being should ever dare to do, yet it is evident from our first passage that efforts would be made, under the auspices of the prince of darkness to try to bring this about. It will be permitted for a while, until God sees fit to reign in the powers that be, but until such time we’ll have to encounter great spiritual darkness, which is scheduled to cover the earth as a thick cloud.

But, God in His mercy will cause bright rays of light to shine amidst the darkness, so that no sincere person will be left in doubt. The first war which began up in heaven is still being waged down here on this earth, and the very same efforts to usurp God’s throne and His authority are still being made, though of late, it is not so subtle anymore.

Up in heaven, Lucifer sought to procure the throne of God, not merely to sit in it but to take to himself the authority and prerogatives which belong to God. In other words, he sought to wield the power which belongs to God, and this effort would inevitably be turned against God’s law, which forms the basis of God’s government. Let’s read:

Isaiah 14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most-High.

Thus, the effort to sit in God’s seat that we read of in our first passage is nothing new, for it originated with the prince of darkness, and throughout history various human agencies, moved by the rebel leader have sought to bring this about.

That is why we will always have wars on our planet, because until the issues of God’s jurisdiction domain and rightful authority are settled in every heart, war is bound to continue. It matters not if many truces are made, it matters not if many peace agreements are signed, and it matters not if you’re a republican, a Democrat, or somewhere in between.

Wars have sprung up under Democratic rule, as well as under Republican rule, and if an independent, or a woman, were to win the presidency, wars on our planet will continue as normal. The United Nations was founded to prevent wars, but since then, there have been more conflicts on our planet than before.

If the issue of God’s seat is not settled, we will all be living in an unsettled world until Jesus comes. That’s the plain unadulterated truth that the inhabitants of earth are now called to confront, as the final conflict of the ages looms large on the horizon.

Wherever there’s a devil you’ll inevitably have wars for he is the author of war and he often moves upon human agencies to carry out his dictates. Thus, if we search for peace, outside of God’s seat, we will be headed for never land. Furthermore, because wars started up in heaven, it will take Someone from heaven to stop all wars. Let’s read:

Revelation 12: 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

In trying to sit in God’s seat, he promised the angels a better form of existence, and he spread the fatal lie, that God was hiding good from the angels, with the sole purpose of restricting their freedoms. Some of the heavenly host drank his cool aid and a third of them were consequently expelled from the abodes of bliss.

They then brought their diabolical sophistries down to earth, and our first parents also bought into their fallacies, and here we are today, fighting the same old wars on the battlefield of our minds, as persons decide whether or not God should have jurisdiction over the beings He has created.

Sitting in God’s seat occurs when attempts are made by mortal, created beings to usurp the prerogatives which belong to God alone. These prerogatives will now be laid bare, so that individuals might be aware of what is at stake in the final conflict of the ages, as it is already knocking on our doors.

[1] The prerogative to determine what is right from wrong.

[2] The prerogative to define, and stipulate what the results of right, or wrong doing will be.

[3] The prerogative to determine and stipulate the conditions upon which pardons are to be granted.

[4] The prerogative to receive worship.

Let’s begin with the very first one, the prerogative to determine what is right from wrong. Some folks believe that doing wrong has to include something that is bad, and therefore, God is bound by what we deem to be right or wrong, in His determinations.

But wrong is defined as things which go contrary to God’s revealed will, and believe it or not, these can include good things that are wrong. There is nothing wrong with eating fruit and it is recommended by all or most dieticians.

But if God says that in this instance, eating fruit is a sin then it becomes wrong, even if it might be good. It’s worthy of note that in Eden, Adam and Eve were not guilty of smoking the herb, or cannabis, as it is currently called. They were guilty of eating fruit.

Now, think about that for a moment! Adam and Eve are found guilty of eating fruit, not because it might be bad or rotten, or was laced with Cyclospora, but because God said it was wrong. It is one of the main points of contention that was raised by the prince of darkness, under the guise of a serpent.

Be very wary of the reasoning of the serpent, for if it is not studied closely, and thoroughly understood, it will be mistaken for something that is upright. He is stating that the fruit is good for you, and that might not be controverted.

Lettuce is also good for you, but if you were to steal Lettuce from Publix and eat it you can also be found guilty of eating something good. He then went on to demonstrate in real time that it could not be wrong, because it was apparently good for Adam and Eve.

And thus, what God determined as being wrong was artfully misconstrued into being arbitrary restriction designed by God to keep the man, and his female wife from entering a higher, and nobler sphere of existence. Thus, if Adam bites the bait, it would put him at odds with God, and you would have conflict. Let’s read:

Genesis 3: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.

5 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.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 54] By partaking of this tree, he declared, they would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge.

He himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and as a result had acquired the power of speech. It was because of its wonderful properties, imparting wisdom and power, that He had prohibited them from tasting or even touching it.

So, let’s break it down into precis form. God says do not eat or touch this, for the consequences would be dire and fatal. The serpent comes along and says no, it is actually good for you, therefore, God is just trying to keep you back from progress, and being a much better person.

Thus, the choice comes starkly into view, and if you choose what God says, you will be in harmony with Him, but if you choose the serpent’s rendition, then that will put you at odds with God, and there will be conflict, not because of God but because of our own choices.

Again, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, it wasn’t on the issue of marijuana, it was bread which he asked Jesus to make. Bread, in and of itself is not a bad thing, for even Christ later prayed: Give us our daily bread. But to eat bread, contrary to God’s will is wrong, even if it is made of whole wheat or whole grains.

Thus, sitting in God’s seat refers to efforts of mortal man, to determine what is right or wrong, and thus, if man determines that something is good for you, it cannot be wrong. In following that mode of thought in your decision- making you will be shocked to find out some of the things that are deemed as good for you, and therefore, cannot be wrong.

Let’s ask Google’s Gemini a very simple question: Is Shrimp good for you?

Gemini responds: Shrimp is an excellent, low-calorie protein source. A 3-ounce serving provides roughly about 20 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of fat, while containing nearly 100% of your daily selenium and significant amounts of vitamin B12 and iodine.

It also contains astaxanthin, an antioxidant which helps reduce inflammation. On weight management it is highly satiating, and it is low in calories, making it a great option for muscle growth and fat loss.

Despite being high in dietary cholesterol, shrimp is very low in saturated fat, which has a much larger impact on blood cholesterol. Some research indicates it can actually improve cholesterol ratios.

Brain and Thyroid Function: High levels of iodine and vitamin B12 support proper metabolism, thyroid function, and neurological health. It has near-zero mercury contamination, making it a safe seafood choice.

It sounds like something that is good for you, but a person might say that Gemini cannot be trusted to always give correct answers, and that is true, so let’s head over to what is recognized as one of the most prestigious institutions across the land, with persons who know what they are speaking about.

       Question: Is Shrimp good for you?

                         The Cleveland Clinic:

Shrimp is surprisingly nutritious and healthy when consumed in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet.

Registered dietitian Natalie Lowther recommends aiming for a portion of 3 to 4 ounces at a time.

A 100-gram (3.5-ounce) serving of cooked shrimp has: 99 calories, 24 grams of protein, 056 saturated fat, 111 milligrams of sodium, 189 milligrams of cholesterol.

It’s also a good source of these nutrients with: .51milligrams of iron, .0379 milligrams of copper, 1.64 milligrams zinc, 237 milligrams of phosphorus, 259 milligrams of potassium.

But God sits in His seat and He says not so much, it is bad for you and should never be eaten, even with all of the good nutrients it may possess. So, who do we crown as king on this point? God, or Cleveland Clinic? This is just a microcosm of the issue of who has the prerogative to determine good or evil, right from wrong. Let’s read:

Leviticus 11:10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you.

11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination.

12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.

Therefore, you will have a conflict emerging, about who determines what is right or wrong, and if you decide that Cleveland Clinic knows best, it means that the institution would be placed in God’s seat by giving it the prerogative to determine what is right or wrong on this issue.

The same goes for every other issue, from marriage to abortion, from waging wars of conquest to diets and foods, from deciding the right day of worship to the issue of raising children. It all boils down to who retains the prerogative to determine what is right or wrong.

This leads us to the second prerogative of God: The prerogative to define, and stipulate what the results  of right, or wrong doing will be. Sin, which is the transgression of God’s law, carries with it negative consequences, and wherever sin is found, it must not be made to seem as if it is beneficial to persons.

When transgression is glossed over, when persons are rewarded for doing evil, the laws of sowing and reaping are disturbed, and persons come to think that doing evil is beneficial, and that righteousness puts a spoke in your wheel.

But God sits in His seat and He declares that the law of sowing and reaping remains intact, and that even though, some persons in our day might seem to get away with murder, the time is coming when such persons will pay a heavy price, if they do not avail themselves of salvation in Christ and a turning away from evil. Let’s read:

Romans 3: 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely, I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.

13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he fears not before God.

      This leads us to the third prerogative of God:

[3] The prerogative to determine and stipulate the conditions upon which pardons are to be granted.

This one has major implications in our day, because the issue of pardoning surfaces quite frequently and yet, individuals have been sitting in God’s seat by changing the rules of engagement as it pertains to the conditions upon which pardons are granted.

There should never be any financial or any personal benefits involved when a pardon is granted, neither should favoritism play a role in who gets pardoned, according to the Bible. In addition, if a person does not manifest sorrow for evils done, forgiveness must be taken off the table.

The Bible is very clear as to the prerequisites for any pardon to be granted. The offender must confess his or her sins, there must be remorse for sin, and there must be a purpose to turn away from the evils that were committed. Then and only then does The Lord grant pardon, or remission of sin. Let’s read:

1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespasses against thee, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

1st John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

2nd Chronicles 7: 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

But throughout the history of our world, pardoning of criminals and sinners has been abused, and there were, and have been many instances where pardons devolved into a pay to play format. This is nothing new, for it took place in the days of Christ, it took place during the dark ages, and it has again raised its head in our day.

Whenever pardons are granted to anyone, contrary to guidelines given in the Scriptures, that’s a form of sitting in God’s seat, since the rules of engagement God has set forth plainly have been altered without His consent or approval. And according to history, a falling away on this issue carries pernicious results. Let’s read:

Matthew 27:15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

This was essentially a pardon that was granted to a notorious criminal, on no other grounds than Jesus was the object of their ire. Thus, to secure Christ’s death, Pilate pardoned a robber who had shown no remorse, nor repentance, and yet he let him go free, while at the same time he condemned an innocent Man to death.

This is the sort of abuse The Lord is speaking to us about, for whenever, mortal man sits in God’s seat, by determining the conditions upon which pardon is to be granted, you will inevitably have corruption. It didn’t happen in a vacuum either, because political pressure was brought into the mix, as an accessory to the illegal pardon. Let’s read:

John 19: 12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaks against Caesar.

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

History also bears witness of how pardon devolves in a pay to play system, when persons sit in God’s seat and alter or reverse the conditions for pardon. There’s a song that goes like this: If salvation was a thing that money could buy, praise ye The Lord. The rich would live, and the poor would die, praise ye the Lord.

This is how that song played out during the darkest ages of earth’s history. And according to the prophet Isaiah, even darker days are ahead for the people of the world. Let’s read:

Isaiah 60:2 For, behold, 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.

[G.C. pp 127] The infamous traffic was set up in the church, and Tetzel, ascending the pulpit, extolled indulgences as the most precious gift of God. He declared that by virtue of his certificates of pardon, all the sins which the purchaser should afterward desire to commit would be forgiven him, and that “even repentance was not indispensable.”

More than this, he assured his hearers that the indulgences had power to save not only the living but the dead; that the very moment the money should clink against the bottom of his chest, the soul in whose behalf it had been paid would escape from purgatory and make its way to Heaven.

This leads us to the last and most important prerogative of God, one that will permanently, and irreversibly close off the probation of the human family: [4] The prerogative to receive worship.

God alone is worthy of worship and praise because He has created us and all things, so that whatsoever we accomplish that is good, the glory and credit for it must go to him alone.

When the 426 Hemi engine burst upon the scene in the 60’s and 70’s and won several Drag racing titles, it was the Chrysler/Dodge manufacturer that got the credit, for they made the Hemi. Similarly, praise and worship must be given to God alone for He is the One who created us.

Therefore, when mortals begin to crave praise and worship, they are attempting to sit in God’s seat and that ultimately and inevitably leads to that form of worship which will seek to eliminate God from His seat.

That is what first caused the war up in heaven, and it has continued on this earth, even to this day, for when in the following passage lucifer says “I will sit” he is directly referring to his purpose and efforts to try and uproot God from the throne of the universe and from the throne of our hearts, by offering his own substitutes for everything God has said. Let’s read:

Isaiah 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.

Psalms 48:1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

That is the issue to which the world is now hurtling, and it will culminate the long running feud about who is, or isn’t authorized to sit in God’s seat. God in His wisdom, and in His capacity as Sovereign of the universe has given humanity the 7th day Sabbath as the only official day of rest.

But the prince of darkness comes along and says not so much. He has gone to work just like he did in the garden of Eden with our first parents, trying to show that Sunday is better and much more preferrable as the official day of rest.

And he endeavors to accomplish his diabolical work through the legislative branches, by seeking to force the inhabitants of earth to ditch the true day of rest in favor of Sunday.

That is the issue that John the revelator is bringing to our attention, and everyone who will be alive at that time, and everyone who is alive now, would be called upon to decide who will sit in God’s seat. If, after clarity on this matter is given, persons decide that God has the right to decide which day is holy, then they will cast in their lot with The Lord.

But if, after the Holy Spirit has enlightened minds on this pivotal issue, persons decide that they would go for the substitute day of worship, then they would have cast in their lot with the prince of darkness, by agreeing that there’s a better day of rest.

When these choices, either for or against God’s seat are made, earth’s probation will finally close, and all hell will break loose in the most literal sense. These are not figments of our imagination, they’re written in the Scriptures, so that all may be made aware of what is coming down the pike. Let’s read:

Revelation 13: 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.

17 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.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

The Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the sign of God’s authority, for it contains His seal, His name, and the territories He has jurisdiction over. Hence the reason why the prince of darkness has always been unwearied in his efforts to overthrow the 4th commandment. Let’s read:

Exodus 20: 8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work.

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Conversely, Sunday is the mark of Rome’s authority, for it has no foundation whatsoever in Scripture and as such, legislators who advocate for it are sitting in God’s seat, usurping His prerogative to direct in the matter of worship.

God has made us with the freedom of choice and to us He speaks from His seat of authority, that no man made system should force persons to worship on a day which He has not ordained. Millions of people, and most Christians may not be aware of this issue, but it is scheduled to bring earth’s history to a final conflict, which is to decide each person’s destiny.

The Lord is now causing great light to be shed upon this matter, so that all sincere-hearted persons will do their due diligence like the Bereans, and find out whether those things are so.

It is of critical importance for persons to understand the issues that are at stake because the bad habit of trying to sit in God’s seat affects everything we may do, and every choice we make.

Let us therefore rise to the occasion, and let us cast in our lot with The Lord God, for those persons who respect and honor the seat of His authority are the ones who will be taken to heaven, because He will not and cannot save in His eternal kingdom, those who choose to be at odds with His Sovereignty.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will make the issue at hand plain, and we encourage everyone to take a stand for right, by acknowledging Christ as The Sovereign of our lives, in all matters of conscience, and especially on the issue of worship. Let’s read:

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13 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, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words;

14 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.

                                     God Bless!

Jonah's Next Sermon. Sabbath afternoon, 07/18/2026

2nd Chronicles 20:20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper.

Those two statements given in the opening passage are of critical importance for the Christian and every believer to digest, and thoroughly understand since they follow on the heels of each other strategically. The way we are to believe in God is by believing His prophets. Here they are, juxtaposed to each other.

[1] Believe in The Lord your God. [2] Believe His prophets.

The reason why the statements come close together is because ordained prophets of God are His mouth pieces to all of the human family, for they speak on His behalf, on everything that pertains to temporal or eternal life. From salvation to end time events, from agriculture to finances.

From marriage to diets and foods, and everything in between, God’s prophets are your go to source for instructions on godly living, for true success, and for true prosperity, because the word of God comes to us through His ordained prophets. For this reason, they are to be believed and taken very seriously. Let’s read:

2nd Peter 1: 19 We have also a more-sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arises in your hearts.

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Deuteronomy 18: 18 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.

19 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.

That’s the candid instruction given in our first verse when it says: “Believe His prophets”. That passage does not direct anyone to quibble and question His prophets neither are His prophets to be investigated with the purpose of finding faults or inconsistencies in what they say or do.

When God has made it plain that He’s chosen such and such a person to be His mouth piece, God does not authorize any person to scrutinize His prophets before believing them, if they have been ordained by Him, nor should folks reject their writings, even if the prophets’ actions, on rare occasions, might be inconsistent with their teachings.

None of those so- called caveats, which are so often introduced by Bible critics are valid, as far as God is concerned. Like the Bereans, it is our individual duty to find out whether those things are so, comparing line upon line, to come to the correct conclusions.

There is nothing wrong with an objective deep dive into the writings of the prophets, but this should be done in a humble spirit.

However, the word given in our first passage is so serious that a surgical interpretation of what this means, and all the ramifications thereof must now be addressed to put it in the right perspective.

Even if the prophet might be wrong in some rare instances, in the information they give, that does not constitute grounds for their rejection, because the instruction to us is to believe, not to criticize.

For instance, when in the book of James, the Bible prophet says to send for the elders if you are sick, that instruction does not mean to scrutinize those elders, because what they did or did not do should be none of our business. Our instruction is to send for them.

Individuals must of necessity take time to digest the previous statement, because, God’s prophets, being human, can in rare instances make mistakes. In fact, if we were to look for flaws in the prophet’s writings and scrutinize, and criticize what ordained prophets did or did not do, we will ultimately reject every prophet of God, for none are perfect.

Even though they should be model examples, they are fallen human beings like ourselves and therefore we must be careful about tethering the authenticity of God’s prophets to their actions in the temporal realm.

We hope for the best and we wish them all the best, but if they are anointed By God, to speak on behalf of God, His word through them must have the same weight with us, even if they have made blunders in their own life experience.

Moses murdered the Egyptian, and even though he is described as the meekest man on earth, history shows that he had a temper problem. Yet, he was a chosen mouthpiece for God, and therefore, those to whom he was sent must believe him even if at times he may have an attitude.

One of the criticisms of Moses that was often hurled at him, is that even though he had spoken on God’s behalf, what he said didn’t pan out exactly as they’d expected, and because of this, many of the Hebrews took up missiles to stone him on several occasions.

But just because things didn’t work out exactly as he had said, that was no grounds for them not to take him seriously. We tremble when we consider what is written concerning this aspect of believing God’s ordained prophets. Let’s read:

Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.

2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown.

3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?

12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, we will not come up.

14 Moreover you haven’t brought us into a land that flows with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

Basically, they now reject Moses as God’s ordained prophet, and the word of God through Moses to the men of renown has lost all validity in their view. The rest is history, and you could read to the end of the sequel in the same chapter.

David was also a murderer and an adulterer, and he told a number of blatant lies on several occasions, yet, he too was called by God to be His prophet. The situation which obtained after David slept with the wife of Uriah, reveals that David had several bottles of alcoholic beverages, and wine, chilling in his own personal refrigerator.

He then reached for these in his efforts to drunken Uriah, and thereby tried get him to go sleep with his wife, so that the child that was his, could then be attributed to Uriah. What he did was dead wrong, and God reproved him for it, but his actions do not then authorize persons to reject his writings, which were given him by The Holy Ghost.

Noah also had a drinking problem, but he was God’s chosen prophet to announce the coming deluge and the antediluvians were expected to believe him and take him very seriously. They did not, and the rest is history.

Paul was also a murderer previously, and James and John were called the sons of thunder for very good reason, for in their history you will find violence the thirsting for revenge and ambition to be the highest, and first in the kingdom of God, very grievous flaws and things that you would not expect from ordained prophets. Let’s read:

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not.

John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

[D.A. pp 293>294] While Jesus was preparing the disciples for their ordination one who had not been summoned urged his presence among them. It was Judas Iscariot, a man who professed to be a follower of Christ. He now came forward, soliciting a place in this inner circle of disciples.

God takes men as they are, with the human elements in their character, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and learn of Him.

They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image. Judas had the same opportunities as had the other disciples.

Thus, Judas, like all the other disciples was ordained and just like Peter, James and John, he had his own set of problems to deal with. Therefore, if Judas was scheduled to preach in church on some Sabbath, he shouldn’t be rejected because of what he did or did not do.

His words should be studied Berean style, but for a person to outright reject him, because of flaws in his character, would put such a person on the path to reject all twelve of the disciples, for every single one of them had serious flaws. Let’s read:

Luke 9: 52 And He sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

[The Desire of Ages pp 295] All of the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service. Even John, who came into closest association with the meek and lowly One, was not himself naturally meek and yielding. He and his brother were called “the sons of thunder.”

While they were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation and combativeness. Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God.

But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. He opened his heart to the divine influence, and became not only a hearer but a doer of the Savior’s words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden.

Yet, they too were God’s ordained prophets, and the Lord strictly forbids any person to reject what they wrote under the inspiration of The Holy Ghost, for our belief should not hinge on their performance or their good and regular standing, but rather on the mere fact that they’re God’s ordained mouthpieces. Let’s read:

Jonah 1:1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Jonah 3:1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

The preaching was as direct as Nineveh could get, for, according to a strict reading of the sermon, the possibility of a pardon which could lead to a reversal of fortune was never raised by Jonah. All Jonah says is that the city has forty more days in existence.

Question: Why would Jonah be sent preach such a direct or explicit sermon like that, with no caveats?

Two parents have a son named Jack, who habitually steals cookies from the jar on numerous occasions, and try as the parents might, to get him to stop he just wouldn’t listen. Finally, the situation reaches a tipping point, where the parents have to give their son an ultimatum, lest he passes the point of no return.

How should this last-ditch effort on the parent’s part be given? Should Jack’s parents say: Son, if you steal anymore cookies from the jar, and you were to ask for forgiveness, we will let you off the hook. Or, should the parents issue their son a blunt threat that there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?

Let us dissect the first option: Jack, if you steal one more cookie from the jar, we will let you off the hook if you ask for forgiveness. Knowing Jack, and his habit of stealing cookies for so many years, if the option of pardon is put on the table, he most likely will continue stealing cookies.

Great care has to be exercised whenever a pardon is offered up front, because, the recipients in so many cases may view it as a sort of loophole, so that they will plan to sin, and then utter all the right words so that they could obtain pardon.

It is worthy of note that God did not offer pardon up front to Adam and Eve before they sinned, He offers it only after they have sinned, and thus, His word to them was, if you eat of the forbidden fruit, you will certainly die. In fact, pardon was a last resort, for if it was offered up front, there would be no deterrent to sin.

Persons who preach that God’s law has been nailed to the cross, and that it is no longer binding upon persons, because of the blood of Jesus, are offering pardon up front, and thus, the flood gates of sin are opened.

There’s an album out there currently that is named: Saturday Night/ Sunday Morning, a very strange title indeed. The singer/ producer got the idea for the album after speaking with a close relative of his. The relative in question was a man, who would party all night on Saturday night, and be ready, and dressed for church early on Sunday morning.

His actions puzzled the singer so much that one day he asked him: Why do you bother going to church on Sunday morning after partying hard on Saturday night? Why not just stay home and rest?

The man said, Sunday Church service is absolutely necessary, because I plan to party again next week, so if I don’t attend church on Sunday morning, how will I atone for my Saturday night sins? This is not a figment of our imagination. It is a true story with a real album on the charts.

 Now, let’s look at the second option. If Jonah were to tell this same man that he has forty days to live, because of his sins with no offer of pardon, the man will most likely think long and hard, before another Saturday night live. This is the reason why Jonah’s message was so blunt, and direct, as an ultimatum. Let’s read:

Jonah 3:2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

And it worked, because that blunt ultimatum gave them pause for concern. They huddled together and decided to do whatsoever it would take to avert the threatened danger. God knew this in advance. Thus, He sent Jonah to deliver the message in a stark and very grave manner that would be sure to grab their attention. Let’s read:

Jonah 3:5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

However, from Jonah’s perspective a good outcome such as this would apparently pose a real problem for his credibility, because, if after making a direct threat, and nothing happened, how will people view his next sermon? Would they believe him the next time around?

And what about God’s view on the matter? If He has to send Jonah to preach another sermon like the 1st one, would God expect the people to believe him? It is a very serious question which will lead us into the Bible study for today: Jonah’s Next Sermon. Let’s read:

Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.

Question: Why did Jonah become exceedingly angry at the outcome? Jonah had to grapple with issues of credibility, because, if after giving such a definitive sermon, it fails to pan out, the question in his mind will obviously be, will his reputation be on the line, and will people ever believe him again. Let’s read:

Jonah 4:2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore, I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

From God’s perspective, Jonah was still credible and if for some reason God saw fit to send him back to Nineveh, at a later date, with a message of warning, God would expect the people to fully believe him, just as if the first prediction had come true. Let’s read:

Luke 11: 29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, this is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

This issue of disappointment, and of God’s prophets delivering His message, and it not coming to fruition as expected, is nothing unique to Jonah alone, for throughout history, other ordained persons have had to pass through similar experiences, where the messages given them by God didn’t pan out exactly the way they thought.

This does not and it should not interfere with their credibility, for if disappointments take place that, in and of itself is no grounds for persons to discredit any future messages coming from God through the same person.

Some whom God has called to give a warning, have at times misunderstood the message, others might not have understood the right interpretation, while others who were directly sent by God, have at times gotten the time and place incorrectly. As far as God is concerned, none of the above must prevent any future hearers from believing the same prophet.

There are times when Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance have misunderstood what the president sent them to say, and there have been many occasions where what they said, in the most direct and positive way, did not actually pan out the way they expected. This is nothing new, for messengers who are called by their superiors to give a specific message. Let’s read:

Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore, every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

[The Desire of Ages pp 215>216] Like the Savior’s disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and the Savior made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled.

And now from his dungeon he watched for the Lion of the tribe of Judah to cast down the pride of the oppressor, and to deliver the poor and him that cried. But Jesus seemed to content Himself with gathering disciples about Him, and healing and teaching the people.

He was eating at the tables of the publicans, while every day the Roman yoke rested more heavily upon Israel, while King Herod and his vile paramour worked their will, and the cries of the poor and suffering went up to heaven.

To the desert prophet all this seemed a mystery beyond his fathoming. There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared?

Then what meant the message that he himself had been impelled to bear? John had been bitterly disappointed in the result of his mission.

That which took place in 1844 is another example of what is being referenced in the experience of Jonah, and John, for there was great disappointment, and those who were sent to deliver the message did not fully understand all of the details and fine print, just like John and Jonah didn’t.

Like John, Jonah, and all twelve of Christ’s disciples, those who preached the advent message were the ordained instruments of God, and they faithfully did their work. However, their credibility must never be questioned because it was The Lord who sent them. Let’s read:

[Life Sketches 88, pp152] The voice of Brother Abbot rung through the hall in notes of warning to the world. He repeated the evidences of the soon coming of Christ, and that vast crowd listened in sacred silence to his stirring words.

The Holy Spirit rested upon the assembly. Heaven and earth seemed to approach each other. The meeting lasted until a late hour of the night. The power of the Lord was felt upon young, old, and middle aged. Some Methodists and Baptists who were present seemed to fully unite with the spirit of the meeting.

“As we returned to our homes by various ways, a voice praising God would reach us from one direction, and, as if in response, voices from another and still another quarter, shouted, ‘Glory to God, the Lord reigneth!’

Men sought their homes with praises upon their lips, and the glad sound rang out upon the still night air. No one who attended these meetings can ever forget those scenes of deepest interest.

The point of expectation was nearing. The time when we hoped to meet him was close at hand. We approached this hour with a calm solemnity. The true believers rested in a sweet communion with God, an earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter.

“Worldly business was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. We carefully scrutinized every thought and emotion of our hearts as if upon our death-beds and in a few hours to close our eyes forever upon earthly scenes.

“But the time of expectation passed. This was the first close test brought to bear upon those who believed and hoped that Jesus would come in the clouds of heaven. The disappointment of God’s waiting people was great.

Some who had appeared to possess true faith seemed to have been influenced only by fear, and now their courage returned with the passing of the time, and they boldly united with the scoffers declaring they had never been duped to really believe the doctrine of Miller, who was a mad fanatic.

“We fully believe that God, in his wisdom, designed that his people should meet with a disappointment, which was well calculated to reveal hearts and develop the true characters of those who had professed to look for and rejoice in the coming of the Lord.

Those who embraced the first angel’s message (see Revelation 14:6, 7) through fear of the wrath of God’s judgments, not because they loved the truth and desired an inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, now appeared in their true light.

This most searching test of God revealed the true characters of those who would shirk responsibility and stigma by denying their faith in the hour of trial. The reason why it is so critically important for us to understand this Bible study, is because the Advent People of God will be called upon to deliver the last and final message of mercy to a dying world. And we shouldn’t shrink from our calling, even if we may not fully understand all of the details and fine print.

Like Jonah, like John, like all twelve disciples and like William Miller, we are now called upon to give the trumpet a certain sound, for we are seeing the hand writing on the wall and we would be remiss if we sat in silence and watch America, and all the rest of the world, go over the cliff without saying a mumbling word.

Let us therefore, like all the faithful of bygone years rise to the occasion, and deliver the three angel’s messages, leaving the results with God. Of course, there will be critics who will point to 1844 as reason why we should not be viewed as credible, and yes, it ill call for courage and faith like never before, even  as many critics would say I told you so.

Credibility, in the eyes of the world is not the same as credibility with God and therefore, we are to take up the mantle of service faithfully, not by giving the same smooth sermons like the famous sooth sayers do, but like John, we are to give present truth which is the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Let us therefore be found worthy of the high calling in Christ, because the kingdom of Christ is at hand, whether persons will hear, or whether they forbear. We therefore end with a passage of Scripture which will encourage us and cheer us on our way, for it is God who is sending those who are called. Let’s read:

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord comes, for it is nigh at hand.

11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

                                    God Bless!

How To Cope with Losing Loved Ones. Sabbath afternoon, 07/11/2026

1st Thessalonians 4:16 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.

17 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.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Death is a phenomenon we never get accustomed to, and yet it is something we would all have to be reconciled to, because it is an unavoidable fact of life. Humanity naturally recoils from death, because God made us to live, not to die.

And even as sad as it is when we lose loved ones, it will give us pause for concern if we observe what is currently taking place across the globe. Death has been significantly ramped up in every corner of the earth, and it runs particularly rampant in countries that are at war, and in places that are subjected to terrible natural disasters.

For instance, one of the last survivors of one family lost 173 relatives in a matter of days in Gaza. That number then rose to 270 family members killed in a matter of months. In the 2010 earthquake that had shaken Haiti, some persons lost 20 family members in one day.

And in Venezuela, where folks are still reeling from the recent twin earthquakes, thousands of persons are unaccounted for, with entire families, and their relatives wiped out without a trace. These facts do not minimize the sadness of the losses we do suffer, but it gives us a glimpse of the scale of death which the earth is now inundated with.

Coping with the loss of family and friends could be difficult, and there are various methods of dealing with it that can be helpful. However, this isn’t a one size fits all, because different persons handle grief differently.

With some persons the deep sense of loss comes all at once, and you can be overwhelmed with emotion and sadness. With others, it takes some time for the loss to set in, and it may take weeks or even months before the full realization of absence is keenly felt.

One of the ways to deal with loss is to interact and fellowship with persons, and support groups which share the same perspectives of the blessed hope.

When this is done, the grieving individuals would be encouraged, and comforted along Scriptural lines of thought meaning that the natural immortality of the soul would not find its way into the conversations to awaken a sense of immediate hope.

Other individuals might need time alone with God in order to be reconciled to the loss. Some persons do best when they take up some meaningful activity to preoccupy their minds, so that they would not dwell in a dark space for too long.

Animals are also a great help to some persons who are grieving, because our furry friends have a way of connecting with some people in ways that prove to be helpful emotionally. Another way of coping with loss is to do some form of regular physical activity that will stimulate circulation, and help with moods and mind health.

One thing that is to be avoided is substance abuse during grieving, as this will alter the state of mind, and could trigger dependence on substances to fix emotional issues. Now, while all of the above, and other methods can be adopted, our first passage tells us to comfort one another with “These words.”

This means that with the Christian the blessed hope of the first resurrection should play a major role in bringing comfort and hope to the bereaved families. This is what makes the difference between how the Christian mourns, and individuals who have not yet accepted Christ, and the hope of eternal life.

Thus, because it is an unavoidable fact of life, it will do us well to consider from time to time, our own mortality, and we should do so in the context of our first passage which tells us that Jesus is going to put an end to death, and as such we could be comforted with the knowledge that all who die in Christ would live again.

This is not to say that the shadow of death should hang before our faces every day, neither should the prospect of passing put a damper on achievements and aspirations. We should train our minds to look on the brighter side of life, while at the same time being cognizant of the inevitable.

The purpose of careful consideration, from time to time is to put the correct perspective on this life and when this is done, the things that the secular mind views as all important and all absorbing, in this life, will not be seen as such by the believer.

Especially should the closing scenes of this earth’s history be kept in view, because they bring vividly to light the blessed hope, and doing so could help keep our priorities in the right order. This is what David is saying in the Psalms when he speaks of our lifespan. Let’s read:

Psalms 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Sometimes we pass along in life as if we’re immortal already, not giving due consideration to the fact that the inevitable is heading our way, sooner or later. If we were to keep our mortality in view, it could help us to make wise choices earlier on in life, with the purpose of doing the most amount of good, for the longest time possible.

Understanding our temporary stay on this earth, as pilgrims, will also help us to rightly value that which Jesus has done for us on Calvary and it will make the temporal pursuits of life, good as they may be, fade in comparison with the immortal inheritance. Let’s read:

Hebrews 11: 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

Our first passage in Thessalonians encourages us to comfort one another with these words, referring to the blessed hope of the resurrection. But to do so we must first see why the blessed hope became so necessary in the first place.

After the fall of our first parents, the natural result was death, and not long after they had sinned, God made the promise of the Deliverer to them, so that they wouldn’t look forward to the future with dread and foreboding.

The promise was incorporated into their perspective and to the many faithful who came after it served as an anchor and hope in this present world. But good as the blessed hope is, the cycle of birth and death has continued its steady march, unto this day.

The first 20 chapters in the book of Genesis offer deep insights to the history of humanity, after the fall, and how we got to where we are today. Those chapters which deal with early genealogies should never viewed as boring, for they provide a wealth of information on the subject matter at hand. Let’s read:

Genesis 5: 5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died. 930 years.

8 And all the days of Seth were nine hundred and twelve years: and he died. 912 yrs.

11 And all the days of Enos were nine hundred and five years: and he died. 905 yrs.

14 And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died. 910 yrs.

17 And all the days of Mahalaleel were eight hundred ninety and five years: and he died. 895 yrs.

20 And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 962 yrs.

27 And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died. 969 yrs.

31 And all the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy and seven years: and he died. 777 yrs.

This brings us to Noah and his sons who bridged the great divide between the antediluvian world, and the genealogies that came after the flood. When we read carefully, we’ll observe two patterns emerging, as pertains to life spans. We must also bear in mind that Noah and his sons were the last from that line of long livers. Let’s read:

Genesis 9:29 And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died. 950 years.

Genesis 11:10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood.

11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. 600 yrs.

12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah.

13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. 438 yrs.

14 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber.

15 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters. 433 yrs.

16 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg.

17 And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters. 464 yrs.

18 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

19 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters. 239 yrs.

20 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug.

21 And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters. 237 yrs.

22 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor.

23 And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters. 230 yrs.

24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah.

25 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah a hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters. 148 yrs.

32 And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran. 205 yrs.

Thus, before the flood you have the long-livers, 930, 912, 905, 910, 895, 962, 969, 777, 950 years etc, but there is a general decline in the life spans, even though there are some anomalies. Then you have (Noah) at 950, but after the flood we observe 600, 438, 433, 464, 239, 239, 230, 148, 205. A definite downward acceleration in years.

And then onto Psalms 90, where the life span has been greatly reduced, to the point where today, a centenarian is celebrated as a long liver? Let’s read:

Psalms 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. That’s 70 or 80 years.

There are two notable observations in the life spans of the persons listed: [1] There is a general, gradual decline in the number of years lived. [2] None of the persons mentioned made it to a thousand years.

Question: How is it that none of them made it to a thousand years?

Answer: According to the Scriptures, any human being who makes it to one thousand years will live forever.

There must be something unique about the number 1000, for some persons came close, but somehow, not a single person ever crossed that threshold. So, the question is why? We therefore turn to the Bible for the answers, for Paul says we must comfort one another with “These words”. Let’s read:

Revelation 20:1 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.

Question: How does he know that he has a short time?

Answer: He knows because he studies his Bible and if we were to study ours, we will come to the same conclusion, that we also have but a short time. Let’s read:

[2SP pp 87] Satan is a diligent student of the Bible, and much better acquainted with the prophecies than many religious teachers. He has ever kept well-informed concerning the revealed purposes of God, that he might defeat the plans of the Infinite.

[9T pp 16] Satan is a diligent Bible student. He knows that his time is short, and he seeks at every point to counterwork the work of the Lord upon this earth.

That is the reason why those first passages in 1st Thessalonians 4 have such great significance for us today, because our time is short, because we’re now living on the very brink of eternity.

There is a prospect before us that some Christians who are alive today just may not pass through the portals of the tomb, that’s how short it is. The Bible tells us that no man knows the day nor the hour, but the prophecies that are scheduled for the last days are being fulfilled quite rapidly, even as we speak.

Not only is the gospel being taken to almost every inhabitable place on the globe, but the fact that for the first time in history, we now have an American Pope, and the makeup of the supreme court is now majority Catholic, (7 out of 9), tells us something is brewing on the horizon. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.

According to the reckoning found in the Scriptures, this world is roughly about six thousand years old, give or take some number of years. And when the fulness of time has come, 6000 will give way to the one thousand years of sabbatical rest that we read of in Revelation 20.

During that 1000 year sabbatical rest the saints who have been resurrected, together with those who are alive at Jesus’ coming, will live for 1000 years, and will finally cross that threshold. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.  Let’s read:

[D.A. pp 413] For six thousand years, faith has built upon Christ. For six thousand years the floods and tempests of satanic wrath have beaten upon the Rock of our salvation; but it stands unmoved.

[G.C. pp 659] For six thousand years, Satan’s work of rebellion has “made the earth to tremble.” He has “made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof.” And “he opened not the house of his prisoners.”

For six thousand years his prison-house has received God’s people, and he would have held them captive forever, but Christ has broken his bonds, and set the prisoners free.

[G.C. pp 660] For a thousand years, Satan will wander to and fro in the desolate earth, to behold the results of his rebellion against the law of God.

[E.W pp 51] “The saints will rest in the Holy City and reign as kings and priests one thousand years;

[G.C. pp 656> 658] For six thousand years the great controversy has been in progress. The Revelator foretells the banishment of Satan, and the condition of chaos and desolation to which the earth is to be reduced; and he declares that this condition will exist for a thousand years.

After presenting the scenes of the Lord’s second coming and the destruction of the wicked, the prophecy continues: “I saw an angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled….

We do not want to weary you, but the phrase 6000 years is to be found no less than 115 times, and the other related phrase, one thousand years could be found hundreds of times in the prophetic writings.

The great and final question to be answered on the world stage has to do with worship, and the contest between the 7th day sabbath, and the 1st day of the week has to be settled forever in everyone’s mind, who will be alive during crunch time.

In our day the blessed hope can only be realized if a person accepts The Lord Jesus Christ, and is willing to keep all of His commandments, by the power of The Holy Ghost. Let no one tell you otherwise, for there are many fanciful interpretations of faith in Christ that talk of love to God without obedience.

That perspective is not supported anywhere in the Bible, and individuals who will pass the 1000 year threshold, will need to meet the requirements. The fall of our first parents occurred after they breached the law of God, that’s why they, and no one who came after reached 1000.

Therefore, those who would live the first thousand years with Christ, must, by their personal decisions, restore the breach that was made, and this must of necessity include accepting all God’s laws including the 4th which says, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy”.

To build upon any other foundation than that which is written will be the equivalent of building upon a false hope that is neither recognized or endorsed in the Scriptures. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:14 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.

Leviticus 26: 34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.

35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.

All of the signs Christ gave to us are being fulfilled as we speak. There are wars, and rumors of war, there are earthquakes in different places, there are heat waves that are breaking all known records, there are screw worms and Ebola, and numerous pestilences that have the farming industry perplexed.

Then there are droughts, and the rapidly dwindling water resources of rivers, due to a lack of snow. The cost of everything from food, medicine, healthcare and electricity are driving the less fortunate into a form of desperation that is causing some to become creative in order to survive.

Hence the astronomical rise in gambling and other ways and means that up until recently, were not an integral part of mainstream media advertisements. It all hearkens back to the end time prophecies that are written in the Bible, and according to how things are going there is only one more shoe to drop.

In trying to cope with the loss of loved ones in our day, we are uniquely positioned to possibly witness with our own two eyes, a fulfillment of the blessed hope in which faith would give way to reality in the not-too distant future.

The question for us who are alive is will we cross the threshold of 1000 years, when Christ returns, or will we fall short. Coping with loss should also include a trust in God’s promises of the first resurrection, for this is what will make all the difference at the end of the day.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will enable us to keep our heads lifted to the skies, because final movements will be rapid ones, and the phenomenon of death will soon become a thing of the past, wherefore, comfort one another with these words. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52 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.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

                                     God Bless!

Three Answers to Prayer, Yes, No, Wait. Sabbath afternoon 07/04/2026

2nd Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

While it is true that any human being could pray to God at any time, in any place, and in any situation, our first passage outlines some basic essentials for those who are called by His name, referring to folks who have entered into a covenant relationship with Him, thus designating them as His people.

The opening passage outlines some conditions and prerequisites for answered prayer, which have to be understood properly in order for us to pray to God intelligently, and get answers. The verses speak of a humble attitude, first and foremost, which means a contrite spirit that is dependent on God’s mercies.

Our attitudes and the perspectives we bring to the table mean very much to God, and they frequently determine whether an answer to prayer would be granted.

God should not be viewed as being subjective to our every request, where He’s duty bound to give us any and everything, nor should we believe that because He has promised, He has to respond in the positive every single time.

God does not owe us anything, and therefore, when we pray, it should be from the perspective of us not being worthy at all to receive anything from God. A humble spirit also would not seek to bully God into blessing us by clinging to our requests after He has said a positive no, as the case might be.

 There is an attitude out there where some persons feel that if they pray long and hard enough, they will succeed in shaking down a blessing from God, even if He does not agree. This stop and frisk attitude is not in harmony with our first passages, and must be avoided like the plague.

The purpose of us making prayer requests to God is not to change His mind, but rather to bring us into harmony with His good and perfect will. And, the opening passages do speak of a turning away from known sin, in order to receive and answer. This is of critical importance to receiving any answers from God.

When king Saul dug in his heels in deliberate sinning God could not hear his requests, for he came to the throne of grace laden with presumptuous sins, and therefore, he could not get an answer from God, not even a no. Things have to be pretty bad for a person not to get even a No from The Lord.

There are certain prayer requests that would always get a yes answer, such as when one sincerely asks for forgiveness during their probationary time. But the requests for divine intervention, or deliverance, or a specific request such as God providing this or that in the temporal realm, those should follow the guidance given in the scriptures.

Thus, we must study the preconditions in the Bible thoroughly, so that our prayers would not hit the ceiling, instead of reaching into the heavens where God is seated on His throne.

             The conditions:

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.

Proverbs 28:9 He that turns away his ears from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and ye shall have them.

               The attitudes:

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Whenever, and wherever possible and appropriate, we should kneel down to make our requests before The Lord. In some instances, because folks may have joint pain issues, or osteoporosis, they might not be able to kneel. God understands, but if we can kneel, we should, for it demonstrates reverence to the all Superior One, The God of the universe. Let’s read:

Luke 22: 41 And he (Jesus) was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed.

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

1st Kings 18: 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and he put his face between his knees.

However, as the title to the study says, requests that are made to The Lord will usually receive one out of three responses, Yes, No, or Wait. So, it is important for us to observe carefully, what the Bible actually says about praying and receiving answers.

The reason why we must first observe the passages that pertain to prayer requests, is so that our faith in God will have intelligent direction, and folks will be more likely receive an answer. As we read, we must tread softly with the various passages because some are not absolute statements, as may be understood by some persons.

Therefore, the line upon line, precept upon precept approach must be utilized, in order for us to come away with balanced and correct views. Let’s read:

John 14:13 And whatsoever you shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

The words “Whatsoever” and “Anything” in the two previous passages, have been a source of problems for some believers, who, upon reading these verses may jump to incorrect conclusions. When observed carefully there is a caveat in the passages which says “In my name.”

Thus, the logical question is: What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? It does not only mean placing His name strategically after your prayer requests, even though this is necessary, since everything has to pass through Him first.

Praying in Jesus’ name means praying according to what God has promised, asking in harmony with the word of God, with a heart that is vitally connected to Christ, that is willing to be directed by Him, and a mind that is directed by The Holy Spirit.

The Holy Ghost will never move upon you to ask for something that God will not at least respond to you about, and thus, the issue of praying in Jesus’ name is one of the primary issues that will often affect the outcome, whether it be Yes, No or Wait. In other words, if it is indeed the case that one prays in Jesus’ name they will get an answer, period.  Let’s read:

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

27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

In fact, when you think about it carefully, in many cases where the answers were not forthcoming, the cause might be that the requests were not made in Jesus’ name, because whenever prayer requests are made in His name, you will get an answer, whether it be a Yes, a No, or Wait.

This leads us to another passage that deals with the issue of getting answers to prayer, in cases where the request is for healing. This one is huge, because to put it frankly, if one is sick, and a prayer request is made for healing we’ll most likely expect, and hope that the answer is a Yes. Let’s read:

James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

But, according to the title of the study, the answers could also be a No, or a Wait. That’s why earlier, we cautioned against interpreting some of the passages in an absolute manner. Line must be upon line, and precept upon precept, lest we take one passage and run with it, before studying other related passages.

For instance, if persons were to pray for healing, for someone who was critically ill, and after prayer, the person dies, that does not mean that God did not hear and answer your prayer.

It Just means that the answer was a No, and if that request was made with a humble spirit, a No will be viewed as a positive, for all things work together for the good of those who love God. Persons should not stumble at a No, for there are three main answers to prayer, Yes, No, or Wait.

If the one for whom the request was made, makes a full recovery, the answer was a Yes. If the person in question continues to be sick, for a period of time, the answer is a Wait. But, if the person in question dies after prayers were made, the answer was a No.

This point is of critical importance for individuals to understand, for some might be in danger of thinking that God did not hear a particular prayer for healing if the person died after being prayed for, or that sin was present in the ones making the request. This is not necessarily the case.

When we pray, a humble spirit would defer to God’s wisdom, with the understanding that He knows the end from the beginning, and that He knows what is best for the person in question. In fact, there are a number of cases where a No is the very best answer to your prayers. Let’s read:

2nd Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, thus saith the Lord, set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying,

3 I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus, saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.

6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

7 And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.

13 And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

14 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, what said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, they are come from a far country, even from Babylon.

16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord.

17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord.

21 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

2nd Kings 21: Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hephzibah.

2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

[Ministry of Healing, 229] God knows the end from the beginning. He is acquainted with the hearts of all men. He knows whether those for whom prayer is offered would or would not be able to endure the trials that would come upon them should they live.

[Ministry of Healing, 230] This is one reason why, while presenting our petitions with earnestness, we should say, “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 In praying for the sick, we are to pray that if it is God’s will that they may be raised to health; but if not that He will give them His grace to comfort, His presence to sustain them in their suffering.

This leads us to another passage which deals with the issue of prayer requests, for we previously read of the words: “Whatsoever” and “Anything” but the next passage adds another dimension, because it says that “Anything” and “Whatsoever” should be in harmony with God’s will, in order for the request to be granted, in most cases.

This is very important too, for our will should be in subjection to God’s will, and if for any reason there’s a difference between the two, the person who is making the request should defer to God. Let’s read:

1st John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us.

15 And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.

This leads us into the study for today which will be the springboard for all prayer requests. It has to do with the parable of a widow, who had some issue to be addressed by a local judge. She then pressed her petitions to the judge in question, until she got an answer.

For purposes of this study, we will place her outside of the judge’s door, where she remains, persistently asking for redress, and not giving up until she hears a definite word from the judge. She knocks, and she keeps on knocking until the answer is given.  Let’s read:

Luke 18:1 And he spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man.

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, avenge me of my adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

In other words, she has an axe to grind, some issue that needed redress, some person, who apparently had made her life bitter. Just because you believe in God, and are a Christian, does not mean that from time to time, you wouldn’t have an axe to grind with someone or some company, or with some church.

There are times when even among brethren, there are matters that need to be resolved, issues, which if left to foment could cause a root of bitterness to spring up, whereby many might be defiled. Thus, if, and whenever this is the case, the best thing to do is to take it to the Judge for redress.

In cases where the Christian has an axe to grind, the Judge should be Jesus, and all grievances, insults or injustices, should first be taken to Him in prayer, for redress, and if He directs us to a human agent, then we should follow His directives.

Too often we find ourselves seeking redress without the Judge and whenever this is the case persons are almost sure to make blunders in judgement. In the parable, the widow doesn’t get immediate answers, but she persists patiently, until an answer is given.

The parable actually provides two of the 3 answers mentioned in the title of the study, and the third one will come in the form of a No. Therefore, let us start with the answer we most love to hear, a Yes.

There is no doubt that ‘Yes” is our favorite answer. For healing? Yes! For wherewithal to pay bills? Yes! For anything and for everything we ask God for, our favorite is Yes. Let’s read:

Luke 18:5 “I will avenge her.” That’s a Yes.

There isn’t anything wrong with a yes, and we are encouraged to pray in the positive, believing that God will hear and give us an answer. This is why The Lord instructs us to believe when we pray, that we will receive the petitions we asked. The key is to expect a Yes, with the possibility of a No, or a Wait. Let’s read:

2nd Corinthians 1: 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.

20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

The other answer given in the parable was a Wait, whereby we are encouraged to continue pressing our petitions to the throne of grace, until we get a definite answer. The Wait answer could be observed in the following passage, where it says that “He would not for a while. Let’s read:

Luke 18:4 And he would not for a while: but after- ward he said within himself…..

Here is where some believers often stumble, for it is often the case that we mistake a Wait for a No. Until a definite answer is given it is in order for us to keep on praying. That’s what Elijah did, when he prayed for rain, and it did not come until after the seventh prayer request. The final answer was actually a yes, but during the interim period, he had to wait. Let’s read:

1st Kings 18: 41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink for there is a sound of abundance of rain.

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,

43 And said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there arises a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, go up, say unto Ahab, prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stops thee not.

45 And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

The answer was actually a yes, but like Naaman, the prophet Elijah had to dip seven times. There is a great lesson for us in this, as it pertains to persons persevering in prayer. Not because the preliminary answer is wait, means to say that you will throw in the towel, nor should we mistake Wait for a No.

Wherever Wait is the interim answer, we must press on in faith, believing all things and hoping all things. Our problem in too many instances is that we don’t like to wait. In our day where everything seems to be on the fast track, waiting on God seems to be too much for some believers.

We are living in the now generation, an age of fast foods fast cars and bullet trains, while chatbots such as Claude and Gemini give us answers immediately, even at our fingertips. Thus, hardly anyone wants to wait anymore, and persons often believe that God is taking too long, to answer prayers.

This perspective will have to change, especially as we head into prime time, because every Christian who would survive the perils of the last days, must learn this vital lesson, that of waiting upon God for everything, and in every situation. And practice makes perfect. Let’s read:

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Revelation 14: 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

We must now turn our attention to the last of the three answers to prayer, the one most believers do not like, and the one which often causes persons to get discouraged, and question the goodness of God in the process. We are speaking of No.

When prayer requests are made, sometimes, in the wisdom of God He may see fit to deny the request with a definite No. This should never cause persons to stumble, neither should faith in God be shaken to the point where doubts arise and discouragements may set in.

One of the most important lessons we will all have to learn is that of receiving a No answer from God, with a cheerful spirit. The Yes and the Wait might be easier to bear, but it’s the No that shows whether or not we are truly humble.

There are two prominent Nos in the Bible that we must now examine, because they shed great light on the humble spirit we spoke earlier of. The first one has to do with none other than Christ Himself, who prayed earnestly to the Father, and received not only a Wait, but also a No.

The No came at a very difficult time for Jesus, as the powers of darkness were coming in for the kill, and the prince of darkness wrung the soul of Jesus with terrible temptations. One of those temptations had to do with what the Father testified of Christ, as it pertained to Him having the power to lay down His life and the power to take it back up again.

There’s only one big problem with that testimony, in that Christ would have to die first, in order to find out the truth in the matter. That is the equivalent of telling a person that they have the power to walk on air, but to find out, they would first have to jump off a high cliff.

When you see Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, clinging to the cold ground with much weeping, it is because the prince of darkness was tempting Him with the thought that separation from The Father would be eternal, and that the cross was the means by which God was seeking to get rid of Him. A brutal temptation indeed. Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages pp 753] Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Savior could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father’s acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal.

Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death: tarry you here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: never-the-less not as I will, but as thou wilt.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

Like Elijah who had to wait until he got a definite answer, Jesus also had to wait until God gave Him a definite answer, and it was a No. It was very tough for Christ to move forward with the agenda, but He did it for you and me, and in the process, He took No for an answer.

The same answer of No occurred with the apostle Paul, who on three separate occasions, had prayed for healing, and the answer came back as a No. He did not fret, nor would he turn back, and he would not allow his confidence in God to be shaken, just because he did not get what he asked for.

Was it tough for Paul too, yes it was, especially since he had been given the gift of healing to the extent where those who received handkerchiefs from him would be healed, and yet, here he is, praying for his own healing, and the answer is a No. Let’s read:

2nd Corinthians 12: 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Obviously, the answer was a no. Question: what should you do if after praying on several occasions, the answer comes back as a No? Should the person in question, continue to press their petitions to the throne of grace, or should you stand down, like Paul and Jesus with a humble, understanding spirit?

After a definite answer is given to prayer, there is no need to continue banging on the gates of heaven, if God has made His good will clear to you. A humble spirit will accept His final answer as being the very best response, in your given situation.

Currently, you might be praying about some issue in your life. It may be that, like the widow, you have an axe to grind with someone, or like Paul, you may be asking for healing, or deliverance from a situation that is causing you grief, and sleepless nights.

God wants us to remember Christ, and Paul and the many others who went before, who at times got a Yes, a Wait and in some instances a No. Let not your heart be troubled, because whatsoever the answer may be, God knows what He is doing, and the final answer will always be for the best good of all those concerned.

Therefore, zip up your boots, lift up the hands that are drooping and pray in the positive, with a humble spirit, and in the fullness of time, God will make His good and perfect will known. We therefore end with two passages of Scripture that will encourage us to pray and continue praying, because God is faithful, who has promised. Let’s read:

Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall you call upon me, and you shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Matthew 7: 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

8 For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.

                                     God Bless!

Jesus Christ, From Eternity To Eternity. Sabbath afternoon 06/20/2026

1st John 5: 10 He that believes on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that believes not God hath made him a liar; because he believes not the record that God gave of his Son.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

The word eternal generally refers to something, or someone that lasts forever, which has no beginning, and no end, and which exists entirely outside of the constraints of time. And when used in the context of Jesus’ life, it refers to His existence before time, and His eternal nature.

The prince of darkness hates this fact, and thus he seeks to bring Christ down to the level of a created being, thus stripping of Jesus of His right to worship. The right to receive worship and honor rests upon the fact that all things and all persons were created by Jesus Christ.

This is the reason given in the 4th commandment, because, of the mere fact that He created all things, sets Jesus on an entirely different level than created beings. All of satan’s efforts to try to overthrow the government of God are squarely centered around the Creatorship of Christ, for if there is no Creator, there can be no Redeemer.

That’s why the elephant in the room is worship and not merely a professed love to God. Revelation 13 and 14 deal with the issue of worship, and the fact that Christ created all things, is cited as the main reason why He is to be worshipped. Let’s read:

Revelation 4: 11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for You have created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.

The devil broods and whines over this unchangeable fact, and he often imbues human agencies with his own sophistries, to try to chip away at this specific truth, that in Christ, there is, and has always been eternal life, also known as immortality, and as such He was never ever created.

The reason why he is so hell bent on trying to make Christ into a created being is that if that were true, then Jesus could not promise the Christian eternal life, because he couldn’t give that which He did not have inherently.

The devil began his diabolical work up in heaven as he questioned why Jesus was entitled to worship. The thought boiled, and rankled in his mind until it found utterances in words that questioned the right of Christ to receive worship, while he was to receive none.

Let’s take a look at sacred history, for there must be a clear understanding of what caused the war up in heaven, for whatsoever caused war in heaven will also cause war on earth, and thus, when any mortal man or angel begins to take worship to themselves, which belongs to God alone, you will have wars and rumors of wars. Let’s read:

Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most-High.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 36] To dispute the supremacy of the Son of God, thus impeaching the wisdom and love of the Creator, had become the purpose of this prince of angels. To this object he was about to bend the energies of that master mind, which, next to Christ’s, was first among the hosts of God.

The King of the universe summoned the heavenly hosts before Him, that in their presence He might set forth the true position of His Son and show the relation He sustained to all created beings.

The Son of God had wrought the Father’s will in the creation of all the hosts of heaven; and to Him, as well as to God, their homage and allegiance were due.

Thus, there are fundamental truths that must first be confirmed from the Bible, so that our faith would rest securely upon inspiration alone, and not on any private interpretation.

There never was a time in the distant past when the Jesus of the Bible was not in existence. Jesus wasn’t created, He did not have a beginning point, and He did not get eternal life from the Father. All of these perspectives point to one fundamental error, that is, that Jesus is a created being, which He is not.

These theories contradict the plainest passages of Scripture, and when observed closely, they seek to upend the Christian’s hope of immortal life, the very promise upon which our faith is founded.

That is why, in our first verses, John sets the record straight, by declaring that eternal life is to be found in Christ, not because it was given to Him at some point in time by The Father, but because it has been His and will always be His, as a member of The God- head. Let’s read:

Colossians 1: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

When it mentions principalities and powers, it also includes the prince of darkness, and all the angels that fell with him. In the book of Ephesians, chapter 6, they are referred to as being principalities, and powers, thus, they are also included in the profound statement which says: “All things were created by Him.” Let’s read:

Ephesians 6: 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This is very bad news for the prince of darkness, for if you have a beginning, you will also have an end, a fact which devils are forced to acknowledge, even when they do so under duress. This can be observed whenever they mention their final demise in the not too-distant future. Let’s read:

Matthew 8: 28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.

29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, what have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Revelation 12: 12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you having great wrath because he knows that he hath but a short time.

The apostle Paul goes on to issue a warning to the Christian, to be on the alert for agents who might try to bring in private interpretations pertaining to the eternal nature of Christ. This is one of the points on which there will be a departure from the faith, so watch out! Let’s read:

Colossians 2: 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.

The Bible teaches us to believe His prophets, which means that when God speaks through His anointed servant we are to listen. Thus, the servant of Christ sheds great light on the subject matter in question, so as to leave no room for doubt and sophistries.

It is written first and foremost in the Scriptures, and then it is confirmed by The Holy Spirit through God’s ordained prophet, so that in the mouth of two or 3 witnesses, every word may be established. Let’s read:

[Maranatha pp 302] “In him [Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men.” It is not physical life that is here specified, but immortality, the life which is exclusively the property of God. The Word, who was with God, and who was God, had this life.

Physical life is something which each individual receives. It is not eternal or immortal; for God, the Life-giver, takes it again. But the life of Christ was unborrowed. No one can take this life from Him. “I lay it down of myself,” He said. In Him was life, original, unborrowed, underived. This life is not inherent in man. He can possess it only through Christ.

Even Claude and Gemini understand what the word underived means, for simply put it means that Jesus did not get His eternal life from anywhere, nor from anyone. It was original and not given to Him by God the Father. Let’s hear the A.I. rendition:

Underived means not formed, copied, or developed from something else. It describes something that is original, primary, fundamental, or self-sustaining rather than borrowed or secondary.

In addition to these undisputable evidences, Jesus declared that Moses wrote of Him, meaning, that the God you read of in the Old Testament is Jesus Christ, primarily. When it says in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, and when it says he spoke and it was done, that is none other than Jesus Christ being referred to.

That’s the reason why He is called the word of God, meaning that any reference to God saying anything is a direct reference to Jesus. In fact, the offices of the God-head operate this way; anything that has to be spoken will be coming through Christ. Period.

[The Desire of Ages pp 19] By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,—God’s thought made audible.

John 5: 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

So, the logical thing to do at this point is to see what Moses has to say of Christ because Jesus is telling us that Moses wrote of Him. As we observe the sacred utterances let us try not interfere with or distort the truth, for it is plain and simple so that a child could understand. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 3: 26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rides upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.

27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Exodus 3: 13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, what is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

15 And God said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

John 8: 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

57 Then said the Jews unto him, thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

This is the reason why the Jews back then tried to stone Jesus, because He declared Himself to be on par with the Father. At that time, He offered eternal life to all who would believe, and that riled them up, because, as far as those Jews understood, or rather misunderstood, eternal life is only to be found in God the Father. They were, and still are dead wrong. Let’s read:

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, for a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

When some believers declare themselves to be New Testament Christians only, they may not know that it is primarily Christ that is being referenced in the Old Testament as God. When you sing the song Jehovah Jireh, that is Christ you are singing about. Jehovah-Nissi is also a reference to Christ.

It was Christ who came looking for our first parents in the cool of the day, after they had sinned. It was Christ who made them the promise “It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” The God in the burning bush, who appeared unto Moses, was Christ.

When you read in the Bible of The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, those are references to Christ. To put it plainly, God the Father, basically has nothing to say to the human race, except what He says in, and through Christ.

It was Christ who spoke the law on mount Sinai, and it was Jesus who throughout the Old Testament, and into the New Testament is represented primarily as the God of the Bible. Thus, to reject the Old in favor of the New is to literally reject both Old and New, because Christ is God from eternity to eternity.

Jesus did not become a God at some distant point in the past neither was Christ elevated or graduated to be God. He has no beginning and no end, therefore, there is absolutely nothing in the Bible, nor in the Spirit of Prophecy to even vaguely suggest that Christ had a beginning point.

Hence the reason why the Psalmist David refers to His eternal nature and existence, in many verses so as to confirm what the entire Bible says of Christ. Let’s read:

Psalms 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Psalms 41:13 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Psalms 93: 2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

And Christ is the One who has spoken through all of the prophets. All our prayer requests to the Father, have to pass through Christ first, because The Father will not listen to any human being, no matter what their rank is or how urgent their plea, if they do not come through Christ. Let’s read:

John 14: 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

1st Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

[F. E. pp 237] After the transgression of Adam, the Lord spoke no longer directly with man; the human race was given into the hands of Christ, and all communication came through Him to the world. It was Christ who spoke the law on Mount Sinai.

Exodus 19: 16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the nether part of the mount.

18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.

19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.

Exodus 20: And God spoke all these words, saying, 2  am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 305] “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” Jehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One, Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to supreme reverence and worship.

Before His death, Jesus declared that no man could take His life, but that He will lay it down voluntarily. Then He added this profound truth about Himself, that he had the power to lay down His life, and the power to raise Himself up again. Now brethren this is some serious kind of power.

As human beings, we run on automatic basically, for we do not have to think about breathing, inhaling or exhaling. But the power to lay down His life means that Jesus could make the conscious decision to die at a specific time, and boom, He is dead. In fact, if you were to read the script carefully, Jesus died at the exact millisecond, as foretold in the Scriptures.

Then again, it gives us pause for concern when He says that He has the power to raise Himself up from the grave. It is only the Eternal God who could make a statement like that, and that’s why the dead Jesus scared the daylights out of satan, much more than the living Christ. Let’s read:

John 10: 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have

power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?

[The Desire of Ages pp 785] When the voice of the mighty angel was heard at Christ’s tomb, saying, Thy Father calls Thee, the Savior came forth from the grave by the life that was in Himself. Now was proved the truth of His words, “I lay down My life, that I might take it again.... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”

[Selected messages Bk 1 pp 301] He who had said, “I lay down my life, that I might take it again” (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will.

This is the reason why the prince of darkness goes to work in subterfuge ways to try and discredit the eternal nature of Christ, for he knows that when this truth dawns on our minds, it would give us the lively hope of the resurrection.

This leads us to the study for today, because we are to address both the meaning and the origination of the Greek word “Monogenes” which is translated in the Bible as being “Only Begotten”. Persons indeed have stumbled on the term, because, when applied to Christ, it gives the sense that He was begotten of God the Father and thus, must have had a beginning point.

Thus, if Christ had a beginning point, it means that He was created, and that will directly contradict the truth in the Bible which says “By Him were all things created”. Furthermore, the logical follow up to that line of reasoning is that He does not inherently have eternal life, and if so, He is promising us something which is not originally His.

So, let’s address that specific issue to see where the problem lies, because you will encounter this over and over again in your study and research, and if it is not made clear, it could affect your views of the blessed hope, given to us through Christ. Let’ read:

John 1: 14 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.

18 No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

That translation “Only Begotten” originated with the early church fathers and it entered into the early English translations of the Bible because of the heavy influence of the Latin Vulgate, the Roman Catholic Bible. The perspective that Christ was born from The Father came from Origen, one of the early scholars of Christianity.

He held a number of unscriptural views, such as God the Father alone is God in the highest sense and the Christ of the Bible is God, but only in the secondary sense, since according to Origen’s interpretation, He was a derivative of God, and not absolutely God.

So here it is, directly from the horses’ mouth of the Vulgate, or Roman Catholic Bible:

"Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus, gloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis."

English Translation "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The concept of Jesus Christ being begotten at some distant point in eternity, is not only foreign to the Bible, but it is just another attempt by the prince of darkness to interfere with the divinity of Christ.

This, and other heresies, the apostle Paul warned early Christians of, including Docetism, Gnosticism, Arianism, Nestorianism, Monophysitism, and a lot of other isms and schisms, all designed by satan to demote Christ in one form or another. Let’s read:

Acts 20: 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Let us lay aside all of the isms and schisms and let God the Father speak for Himself as He addresses that issue of whether Christ is fully, and originally God. The father does not address Jesus as one who is a secondary God, but as God in the highest sense. Let’s read:

Hebrews 1: 7 And of the angels he saith, Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.

8 But unto the Son he saith, thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.

If The Father addresses Christ as being fully God, we can end the Bible study right now, case closed. Let’s read again:

[R.H April 5.1906, par 6] The world was made by him, “and without him was not anything made that was made.” If Christ made all things, he existed before all things. The words spoken in regard to this are so decisive that no one need be left in doubt.

Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore. The Lord Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father.

The eternal nature of Jesus Christ is so powerful and potent that He will pull from the ashes, even those who were burnt at the stake during the dark ages.

Those Christians who were eaten by wild beasts, and those who were beheaded for Christ’s sake will be brought back to life by the raw eternal power of Christ at His second coming.

Allow no one, whether demon or angel, shake your faith in the eternal existence of Christ, because the promise of immortality hinges directly upon the fact that He is eternal, and God, in the highest sense.

We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will buoy the Christian’s hope, for it is a promise of raw Divine power that will be manifested through Christ, to all believers from their graves. Let’s read:

1st Thessalonians 4:16 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.

17 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. 

                                     God Bless!

Why God’s Law Is Being Attacked. Sabbath afternoon 06/06/2026

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The law of God contained in the 10 commandments is coming under increasing attack, and these attacks will increase and peak during the final conflict of the ages when the mark of the beast will engulf many of earth’s inhabitants. The assaults against God’s law is not only coming from secular forces, it is coming in from the most unlikely places, that’s within Christian circles.

Efforts have been, and are underway to undermine, water down, abolish, and alter God’s law so that it is gutted from the inside out to suit the fancy of men. When God says that marriage is between one man and his female wife, and then legislators make laws saying otherwise, that’s an attack on God’s law.

When God says that adverse consequences follow the violation of His law, and legislators come along and grant immunity, so that persons are not held to account, that’s another brazen attack on God’s law.

And when God says that the 7th Sabbath is the only day of rest given to the world, and then the nations of earth designate different days as official days of rest, that’s an attack on God’s law.

When mortals begin to crave, and demand worship from fellow mortals, and when yes men are bowing down left, right and center by doing things that they know are wrong, that’s an attack on God’s law. And wherever forbidden foods are recommended as staples in diet as being good for you, that’s another attack on the law of God.

Furthermore, by making these changes, alterations, and eliminations, persons are sitting in God’s seat, meaning that they are attempting to usurp the sole prerogative of God to make laws which govern His creatures.

And by so doing, issues pertaining to morality, right and wrong, good and evil, sin and righteousness will become subjective, being determined by the whims and fancies of legislators who come into power, who are guided by popular demand or convenience.

While it is true that the law of God can never save the sinner, yet without the law no sinner could be saved, because the law shows us why we’re in need of the Savior, because of sin. That is what our first passage states, because the law of God sets the gold standard for differentiating between good and evil.

Thus, when the instrument by which good and evil is measured is removed or tampered with, there is nothing to refer to, to say that this or that is wrong or right, and no sooner than this takes place persons become a law unto themselves. This is how you end up with phrases like my truth, or I did it my way.

Another popular phrase that comes directly from the prince of darkness is: “Let conscience be your guide”. Consider the implications and ramifications of the statement carefully for if one has a mind, or conscience that is not guided by the Holy Spirit, the person will inevitably set the bar according to their own preferences, and before you know it, Jeffery Epstein can do what he did with a clear conscience.

Thus, perspectives of right and wrong become fluid, being driven, and determined by the individuals in question and whenever the individual person begins to determine what is right or wrong, there could be no accountability, because whatsoever they do will always be right, because they set the gold standard.

It all began up in heaven, when the former Lucifer, before he became satan, made war against God’s law up in heaven. At that time, lucifer waged war against the very foundation of God’s government, and, using intelligence and cunning, he introduced certain sentiments and perspectives, which if you are not very careful, may sound good and pleasing.

Let’s take a few examples coming in from the pen of inspiration before we proceed, for it has to be made abundantly clear to the entire world what is really at stake in the final conflict of the ages, that will be the determining factor for your eternal destiny. Let’s read:

[G.C. pp 499] When it was announced that with all his sympathizers he must be expelled from the abodes of bliss, then the rebel leader boldly avowed his contempt for the Creator’s law. He reiterated his claim that angels needed no control.

Why would he say this? That angels do not need any control? The argument he put forth to support this claim is that angels were made perfect, and perfect beings cannot do anything wrong, because they are perfect, thus he artfully sets the stage for the angels to personally determine what is right from wrong as based upon the feelings or sentiments they harbor. Let’s read:

[1SP pp 22] Satan grew bold in his rebellion, and expressed his contempt of the Creator’s law. He claimed that angels needed no law; but should be left free to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right.

Thus, if the angels are left to determine what is right from wrong, then the logical end to his reasoning is that God’s law has to be abolished, and by so doing he proposes to set them at liberty, since, according to his warped mind, law represents restriction. Let’s read:

[G.C. pp 499] He denounced the divine statutes as a restriction of their liberty, and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of Heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state of existence.

And now, having succeeded with one third of the angelic host, he brings the same cool aid to Eve, and she takes the bait with the hope of supposed liberty as the result. Observe the similarity of the language in the former quote and the next one, because the prince of darkness always uses the same old tricks.

He recycles and he repackages them under different names and guises, but beneath the veneer of liberty and freedom, is the cool aid that was once served up in heaven.

[1 S.P. pp 38] She then plucked for herself of the fruit and ate, and imagined she felt the quickening power of a new and elevated existence as the result of the exhilarating influence of the forbidden fruit.

It's amazing, and disheartening at the same time, to see how most of earth’s inhabitants have gobbled up the diabolical cool-aid. Persons in contemporary Christianity now teach their congregants that God’s law has been abolished, or nailed to the cross, and all you have to do is love God.

Thus, love to God is divorced from obedience, and many have substituted praise, where obedience has come up short. But the Bible teaches us that love to God is measured by obedience, and if it ever comes down to the wire, where The Lord had to choose between praise and obedience, He will absolutely choose obedience over praise. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 15: 22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

That’s why Revelation chapters 13 and14 never ever mention the word love, not even once, because the love of God is not the issue in our day. The elephant in the room is the law of ten commandments which points to The Creator of the heavens, and earth, and His sole prerogative to establish laws which govern His domain and territories.

The study for today will expose the two sides of the issue pertaining to God’s law. We’ll also take a deep dive into the pros and cons, and the reasonings that are given in the Bible, and those that come from the prince of darkness, so that everyone can make their intelligent choice to serve God, as we encourage all to do so.

God offers liberty and satan also offers liberty, but on widely different terms. The liberty God offers is through surrender and obedience to His good will, and wherever persons make this intelligent choice, they will experience liberty, without the adverse downsides that come from the prince of darkness.

In God’s form of liberty, the individual conscience or will is left intact, and persons choose to serve, love, and obey God, because He is good, and there is an intelligent understanding that everything He bids us do is always for our best good. This is why Jesus says that if The Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.

Here in America, as we are poised to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, we remember that laws are what guarantee our freedoms. Even though we are now at a critical juncture, where the rule of law is being upended on several fronts, for the most part we are still a free country, protected by the laws which govern the citizenry.

Persons can own homes and cars, stocks and bitcoin and all of the material blessings of life without them having to worry about it being stolen, because God’s law that says “Thou shalt not steal” has for the most been adopted within the framework of the nation’s jurisprudence. Thus, the freedoms we enjoy are due to the laws which govern our conduct.

Thus, when the prince of darkness attempts to paint God’s law as a restriction on your freedoms, he is by so doing trying to sell us the same cool aid which he deceived our first parents into drinking. The law of God must never be viewed as a restriction on your liberties.

Instead, it is a veritable guarantor of our liberties, when goodness, righteousness, and truth are the objectives. Thus, the argument that is so often put forth by man’s nemesis, that obeying God would put you at a disadvantage, is just a big, fat lie, plain and simple. Let’s read:

John 8: 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

James 1:25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he, being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Romans 7: 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Deuteronomy 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, forever.

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

2nd Corinthians 3: 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

[S.P bk 4, pp 401] Let the restraint imposed by the divine law be wholly removed, and human laws would soon be disregarded. Because God forbids dishonest practices, coveting, lying, and defrauding, men are ready to trample upon his statutes as a hindrance to their worldly prosperity.

But the results of banishing these precepts would be such as they do not anticipate. Property would no longer be safe. Men will obtain their neighbor’s possessions by violence; and the strongest would become richest. Life itself would not be respected.

The marriage vow would no longer stand as a sacred bulwark to protect the family. He who had the power, would, if he desired, take his neighbor’s wife by violence. The fifth commandment would be set aside with the fourth.

Children would not shrink from taking the life of their parents, if by so doing they could obtain the desire of their corrupt hearts. The civilized world would become a horde of robbers and assassins; and peace, rest, and happiness would be banished from the earth.

That’s the reason why Paul issued a profound curse upon those who knowingly teach that God’s law has been abolished, or nailed to the cross. Some may be doing so ignorantly, and for such there is still hope, but if one who knows better, deliberately continues to preach that God’s law is nailed to the cross, that preacher’s future will be pretty grim. Let’s read:

Galatians 1:8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Isaiah 5: 20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Isaiah 24: 4 The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore, the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Believe it or not, on the flipside of God’s liberty, you have the prince of darkness also offering liberty, but he offers it through disobedience. In his camp, folks are permitted to do whatsoever their hearts desire, without any laws or restrictions, even when it would do you great harm and produce collateral damage in others.

His mantra is if it feels good, do it, whatever “IT” is. Rights are not respected, the rich who are in power grind down the faces of the poor, and large sums of money are spent to glorify self, while your everyday joe struggles with the basic necessities of life.

In satan’s brand of liberty, persons are free to bully others into submission, for the sake of self-worship and for personal gain. Property, real estate, and the natural resources of other nations are coveted, and like Ahab with Naboth’s vineyard, if they have to kill to get it, they absolutely are at liberty to do so.

Additionally, in satan’s form of liberty, you have the complete liberty to drink cool aid laced with cyanide because the foundation of his form of liberty is that nothing is off limits, even if persons might die in the process.

Thus, you are at liberty to do as much drugs as you possibly can, because the God of heaven will not be permitted to encroach on your freedom to do what you think is best and right for you. As they say, it is my life, and nobody, not even the prince of darkness will interfere with my so-called freedom.

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found submerged in a bathtub in her suite at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Her autopsy revealed a deadly mixture of drugs, which included cocaine, and marijuana, amongst others.

Prince also died from a drug overdose, at his home in Minnesota on April 21, 2016. Like Whitney, he too had the freedom and the means to do whatsoever he liked, and thus, the toxicology report revealed a high concentration of fentanyl in his system.

So yes, the prince of darkness also offers liberty, but on terms that are entirely different from God’s form of liberty. With God, believing in Jesus, and obeying His laws form the basis of your liberty. With satan disobedience is the basis of your freedom, but you will die eternally in the process. The choice is yours, whether to be free and alive or to be free and dead. Let’s read:

2nd Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Several interesting and pertinent commentaries are written by the servant of The Lord, on the issues of liberty, and they are noteworthy, since to too many individuals, the law of God is looked upon from the prohibitory side, instead of being a law of liberty. Take a look!

[G.C pp 499] He denounced the divine statutes as a restriction of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state of existence.

[D.A. pp 435] Lucifer desired God’s power, but not His character. He sought for himself the highest place, and every being who is actuated by his spirit will do the same. Thus alienation discord and strife will be inevitable. Dominion becomes the prize of the strongest.

The kingdom of Satan is a kingdom of force; every individual regards every other as an obstacle in the way of his own advancement, or a stepping stone on which he himself may climb to a higher place.

The mark of the beast will focus our attention on the elephant in the room, which is the law of God, especially the issue of worship. Especially the fourth commandment will be the center of the controversy because earth’s inhabitants will have to decide what kind of liberty they prefer, the godly kind of liberty or the luciferian kind.

When observed carefully, there is not a single thing harmful, or detrimental to the human family in the 4th commandment, for all God is instructing us to do is to take a rest which we need anyway. Even popes agree that it is a good idea to take a break from the hum drum of life, to focus on God and your eternal interests.

The problem is that God says that the day of rest is the 7th day of the week, while Rome says it should be the 1st. Thus, the crux of the problem is not the issue of rest, it is the issue of the day, because God, in His capacity as Creator, and Ruler over His domain says that the 7th day Sabbath is the only stipulated day of rest.

Thus, to the very end of the great controversy which started in heaven and came down to our planet, the attacks against God’s law will continue, until in the final conflict of the ages, it will reach its zenith when every person on our planet will have to take a side.

This is the issue that is just on the horizon, and this is what the remnant people of God are called upon to declare to the world at this time. The Lord will do a strange work that many are not expecting, and He will use human instrumentalities that are guided by His Spirit, rather than the institutions and strategies of men. Let’s read:

[Last Day Events pp 206] In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged.... 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.

An ordinary mind, trained to obey a “Thus saith the Lord,” is better qualified for God’s work than are those who have capabilities but do not employ them rightly. 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 Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings and, casting off all man’s machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit’s power.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand, and every remnant person who knows what is coming should be humbling themselves in the sight of God, so that He can use us to the maximum, in finishing up the work of the gospel throughout the world.

After the day of Pentecost, the gospel was carried to every inhabited place on the globe, but it was The Holy Spirit who directed and orchestrated the work. Similarly, in our day, the outpouring of The Spirit will move upon individuals to carry the last message of mercy to a dying world.

Let us therefore live in readiness, for we are looking at sooner rather than later, the way things are going and the way end time prophecies are unfolding. We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that will remind us of what The Lord has stated will come to pass, and may we all be found faithful in doing our part, as The Holy Spirit leads. Let’s read:

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand.

23 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.

28 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.

29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

                                      God Bless!

From The Cradle To The Grave. Sabbath afternoon 05/30/2026

 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

The cradle represents our entry point into this world and the grave represents our exit point, and thus, whatsoever you do in between those two points will ultimately determine your eternal destiny, and the legacy that you will leave behind.

Our first passage deals with the bottom line in life as to what our eternal destiny will be, and this, coming from a man who has tasted and witnessed firsthand many years of chasing after the wind, he now sums up the true meaning of life, with the hope that folks who come after, will consider carefully what they do between the entry and exit points.

Time flies so fast, for it seems as if it was just a few years ago when we were young and spritely without a care in the world. But as persons leave the cradle, life begins to take its toll on mind, heart, and body.

There are times when in the earlier years of our life experience, if we got injured, we would heal quickly and if we suffered broken bones the joints would be quickly reconstituted and healed. But as the years go by it takes longer to recuperate from injuries and the bones and sinews, do not respond as readily, as in former years.

That’s because, as we all head to the downside of the mountain, we grow old, and we’ll find ourselves becoming less and less resilient physically and thus, before you know it the teenage and the young adult years are behind us.

The wise man also mentions the fact that a gradual deterioration of the human frame is inevitable, no matter how hard, and how long you exercise, and train. Sooner or later all of us will have to come to grips with this inevitable fact, and because there is no escaping it, we would do well to consider what we do between the entry and exit points.

Hence, in retrospect, and after deep soul searching and evaluation of the true meaning of life, Solomon strongly advises us to do all we can, to serve God in the earlier years of our experience, for the tenor of the Bible is for folks to do the most amount of good for the longest time possible, before the inevitable comes knocking at your door.

Consider carefully what God is saying to the you and me in the here and now, especially to the youth who may often think of themselves as invincible. Sooner, or later, the gradual, and the eventual deterioration of the mental and physical faculties which you see in your parents, and other elderly folk, will be coming your way. So, consider carefully. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened.

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goes to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets.

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

With these fundamentals, and inescapable facts in mind, the legacy that persons leave behind is what makes all the difference in life. If, after you carefully consider, and understand what Solomon is saying it is your choice and desire to do the most amount of good for the kingdom of God, for the longest time possible, then you may chart a course that would be productive of much good.

And if by the grace of God, you were to avoid some of the major pitfalls and failures along the way, you can leave a legacy of faithfulness and service behind so that the next generation could follow.

All the life experiences that are written in the Bible, with the victories, and failures of some of the best who have ever lived, are written so that folks might make choices that are commensurate with a humble and teachable spirit. We will take three examples to demonstrate what is being said so that persons may reach their fullest potential in the few years we have on this planet.

We begin with Abraham, who was called by God to go to a land that he would be shown. That call was a call to service, and even though he did make a few missteps along the way, Abraham found redemption in Christ, and he was able by the grace of God to do much good between his entry and exit points.

The Lord did not call him, first and foremost to leave a legacy of worldly wealth and secular achievements for although he was blessed with material things, he used these to build up God’s kingdom tremendously and by doing so, he left behind a legacy of service in godly things so that his life, for the most part was a blessing to the world.

Similarly, with us, even though God may bless us in the temporal realm, our main focus in life should be the building up of God’s kingdom upon the earth so that it could be said of you, that you did the most amount of good for the longest time possible.

The perspectives and purposes in life that are dearly cherished in the secular mind, are on the opposite end of the spectrum to God’s ideal. A great man, as far as the world is concerned, is one who has made it in life, who has probably invented good things, or may have been a great philosopher or scientist.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with these pursuits and achievements, if they are not applied in the building up of God’s kingdom, they fall short of the godly ideals set forth by Solomon in our first passages.

Abraham was very blessed materially, but he did not allow the temporal benefits to outweigh the eternal pursuits, which ought to be the focus of every true Christian. As we observe, and study his legacy, you will see that at every turn, and at every opportunity he got his one purpose was to build up the kingdom of God, and to lead as many persons to Christ as he possibly could, before his exit point. Let’s read:

Genesis 12:1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee.

5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, unto thy seed will I give this land: and there he built an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.

8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord.

Genesis 13: 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.

Genesis 22:9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood.

Question: Why is Abraham building an altar to God everywhere he goes? He is doing so because he has his priorities in the right order and thus, wherever he goes, the first thing he does is not to secure houses and lands, nor start up new investments, nor would you find Abraham betting on Kalshi or Polymarket, because his singular purpose in life is to build up God’s kingdom on the earth, for the longest time possible.

Whenever the remnant people of God may move to a new location, like faithful Abraham they should be earnestly seeking out a place where they can build an altar to The Lord, meaning that their singular aim and their highest purpose in life is to build up God’s kingdom upon the earth.

Some may do so by outreach ministry, some may do so by establishing a prayer line in the neighborhood, others may establish a health ministry, using the ton of information given to us in our health message, or some, who might not be specialists in these things may have a ministry such as Dorcas had.

The Lord has not called any disciple or believer to an idle, easy-going life in His kingdom, neither does He leave any person without at least one talent. Every person in His kingdom is to have a ministry where it is possible, with the aim of winning souls, for thus it is that each one can reach one.

But whatsoever you do, and wheresoever you may go, building an altar to the Lord must be the highest and the most urgent priority for as stated before we have limited amount of time between our entry and exit points. This is what faithful Abraham did, and by so doing he left us a legacy of service that all could, and should follow. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 141] Abraham’s house- hold comprised more than a thousand souls. Those who were led by his teachings to worship the one God, found a home in his encampment; and here, as in a school, they received such instruction as would prepare them to be representatives of the true faith.

Thus, a great responsibility rested upon him. He was training heads of families, and his methods of government would be carried out in the house- holds over which they should preside.

It was necessary to bind the members of the house-hold together, in order to build up a barrier against the idolatry that had become so widespread and so deep-seated.

Abraham sought by every means in his power to guard the inmates of his encampment against mingling with the heathen and witnessing their idolatrous practices, for he knew that familiarity with evil would insensibly corrupt the principles.

The greatest care was exercised to shut out every form of false religion and to impress the mind with the majesty and glory of the living God as the true object of worship.

Abraham was so dead focused and consumed with ministry that he forgot about purchasing houses and lands, in so much that when his wife died, he had to purchase a piece of land to bury her. The souls who were under his care, and instruction is where most of his resources were prioritized.

Thus, it was also with the Waldenses and members of the Vaudois community who grilled their children from the cradle to the grave, to harbor a missionary mindset wherever they would go. Their kids wasted no time when they went to school, or university, for their highest purpose was to infiltrate the colleges with the gospel of Christ.

Yes, they would study sciences and math, and yes, it is true that they practiced reading and writing, but those writing skills they acquired were largely the result of writing out passages of Scripture to share with their school associates.

Note well their perspectives and practice, for they were taught by their parents to be on the look out for any opportunity to sow good seed, and as they prepared, God enlarged their understanding as well as their memory capacity, so that they could retain several gospels, and epistles, word for word. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 88] From their pastors the youth received instruction. While attention was given to branches of general learning, the Bible was made the chief study. The Gospels of Matthew and John they committed to memory, with many of the Epistles. Their garments were so prepared as to conceal their greatest treasure, the precious manuscripts of the Scriptures.

These, the fruit of months, and years of toil, they carried with them, and, whenever they could do so without exciting suspicion, they cautiously placed some portion in the way of those whose hearts seemed open to receive the truth. From their mother’s knee the Waldensian youth had been trained with this purpose in view.

They understood their work and faithfully performed it. Converts to the true faith were won in these institutions of learning, and frequently its principles were found to be permeating the entire school; yet the papist leaders could not, by the closest inquiry, trace the so-called corrupting heresy to its source.

The spirit of Christ is a missionary spirit. The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to bring others also to the Savior. Such was the spirit of the Vaudois Christians.

However, on the flipside of Abraham’s missionary spirit and that of the Waldenses, there’s an opposite view of life, where the focus is centered on the here and now, and where the accumulation of materials absorbs all of one’s interests. In some instances, the driving motivation, and the highest aim in life is just to make more and more money.

In the inordinate pursuit of temporal gain very many professed Christians forget their first love, and their desire for more becomes all absorbing. When left unaddressed, this perspective can expend your best energies, and before you know it, there is nothing left for Christ, except some scraps of service, here and there, only when it is convenient.

This is what occurred in the parable of the man who became all consumed with building up his temporal portfolios so that he could retire in prosperity, and ease. If a person’s highest aim in life is to retire with ease, then the time between the cradle to the grave will be fraught with anxieties, worries, and cares, so that acquiring would become the sole focus of their existence. Let’s read:

Luke 12:15 And he said unto them, take heed, and beware of covetousness for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

16 And he spoke a parable unto them, saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully.

17 And he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, this will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee. Then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

There are times when a person may have cultivated the perspectives and outlook on life, that the man in the parable had embraced. But God, who is rich in mercy gives time and opportunity that these views can be corrected.

There is something such as course correction, where God will grant us opportunity to change our legacy from one that was riddled with crime, sins, evils and rebellion to one where leading persons to Christ will become your main purpose in life, for the remaining time you have upon the earth.

It makes all the difference in the world and what we will do with our new lease on life could have eternal results if we stay the course with Christ. This is what God did for Solomon, for after chasing the wind for so many years, and after squandering many golden opportunities to build up God’s kingdom, the wise man finally came to himself.

And yes, he did try his best to retrace his steps, and instructed coming generations to track a different course. Better late than never, and thus, as Solomon stared into the great hereafter, and as he reflected on his past, he determined to redeem the time as much as possible, for the remainder of his life.

Another course correction took place with Paul who had his priorities entirely mixed up before he met Christ. After that close encounter with Jesus, on the road to Damascus, God gave Paul new aims and new purposes in life.

From there on out, it became Paul’s main goal in life to build up God’s kingdom wherever, and whenever opportunity presented itself. The same can be true for me and you, if formerly, our interests had been centered on the temporal aspects of life, instead of the mission God has given us. Let’s read:

Acts 26:13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

Like Solomon and Paul, we also could make a U-turn if for some reason our priorities got mixed up along the way, so that the ministry of saving others could become the chief aim in life. But to just go with the flow, without making any deliberate, and consistent effort to use your God-given talents in service to the Lord and to others, is not endorsed in the Bible.

As was stated before, we have limited time on this earth to do any amount of good for the benefit and advancement of humanity and therefore, we should begin with what we do best, or what comes to you naturally.

The words of the wise man that say, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth” means that it is God’s will that we give Him the best, and the most productive years of service, before aging begins to take its toll, and like Solomon, we might regret not having done more for Christ, while we had the opportunity to do so.

Especially should all fathers and mothers teach their children from the earliest age to highly prize Biblical values, teachings, and principles. Lofty, worthwhile goals of missionary work and being of benefit to the world, should be instilled from the early years.

And the study of God’s word should be encouraged, not as something to do only in their spare time, but as an integral and indispensable part of daily living. In this way, several positive results would accrue, for they will have an active reference point of truth in their minds, even if they were to go astray later on.

The minds of the children will also greatly expand, and they will be enabled to approach science, math, and languages with an understanding that might be difficult to fathom. Studying the Bible is never to be viewed as time wasted. Daniel majored in Scripture first, before he majored in science.

In fact, it was the study and practice of deep things in Scripture, that helped pave the way for his later, and great successes in other branches of education, for when the mind is brought into contact with the eternal God, through a study of His word, all of the mental faculties spike tremendously in performance and problems in secular matters, will not baffle the mind as much. Let’s read:

[CT pp 441] A failure to study God’s word is the great cause of mental weakness and inefficiency. In turning from this word to feed on the writings of uninspired men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened. It is not brought in contact with deep, broad principles of eternal truth.

[R.H Sept 28 1897] Nothing is so calculated to enlarge the mind and strengthen the intellect as the study of the Bible. No other study will so elevate the soul and give vigor to the faculties as the study of the living oracles.

As the mind is brought to the study of God’s word, the understanding will enlarge, and the higher powers will develop for the comprehension of high and ennobling truth. It is according to the character of the matter with which the mind becomes familiar that it is dwarfed or enlarged.  

If the mind is not raised up to make vigorous and persistent effort in seeking to comprehend truth by comparing scripture with scripture, it will surely become contracted and lose its tone.

To those who are present at Bible study today, and to those who are listening online, God wants us to bear in mind that our entry point is already behind us, and now we must take into consideration that the exit is coming up, sooner or later.

The cradle is in the rearview mirror, and we all are heading for the exits, therefore, it behooves us to do the most and the best with whatever remaining time we have left, for we are here today and gone tomorrow, like the wind that passes by for a brief season.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture that should serve the purpose of encouraging us to do all we can, whilst we can, for at the end of the day, it is what you do for the kingdom of God that will last for eternity. Let’s read:

Psalms 90: 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

                                    God Bless!

Prepare For Crunch Time. Sabbath afternoon 05/23/2026

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth, I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother-in law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that takes not his cross and follows after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that finds his life shall lose it and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.

When we speak of crunch time, we are referring to Daniel chapter 12, verses 1 to 3, where we are told that there would be a time of greatest trouble upon our planet such as never was since the dawn of time and we are speaking about Revelation chapters 12 to 14 that would materialize Daniel chapter 12.

And because it would be a time like no other, those who believe and practice present truth will have to stand up, and be counted on The Lord’s side. Your decision to follow Christ will have to be ratified and, reconfirmed individually with Jesus for the decisions had been made initially when there wasn’t end-time prophecy looming large, in real time.

But now we are living on the brink of eternity, when the forces of good and evil are scheduled to duke it out until the very last individual has made up his or her mind, either for or against Christ. And therefore, the decisions folks made at a time of tranquility and peace may not necessarily withstand the test of the final conflict.

There comes a time in our experience after coming to know Christ after understanding the ways, means and methods of His kingdom, that we must confirm the choices to serve love and obey Him, after we’ve come to a fuller knowledge of what is entailed.

Initially, at the time of baptism, some persons might not have taken the time to thoroughly count the cost of true discipleship, while others may not have fully understood that following Christ would call for sacrifice and an entire surrender of our lives to Him.

Therefore, according to our first passages, when the understanding dawns in our minds, it will inevitably put us at odds with some of the friends, and family that we love, who might not understand, nor agree with what God requires of us.

It is not every time that acquaintances will be in lock step with our unique beliefs and perspectives. And, without the shadow of a doubt, when crunch time comes around, many individuals would get deeply offended at the course of action we may take, in the face of the lamblike beast speaking as a dragon.

And we are not to expect to a have rational, logical answer for every single thing God requires for when crunch time comes around, the decision not to buy or sell, will certainly be challenged by friends, and foes, especially if children are involved.

We do not know for certain if The Lord might see fit to put every one of them to sleep just before the big one hits because of two statements that are written, one in the Bible, and the other coming from the pen of inspiration. Let’s read:

Matthew 24: 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

[2SM pp 259] The Lord has often instructed me that many little ones are to be laid away before the time of trouble. We shall see our children again. We shall meet them and know them in the heavenly courts. Put your trust in the Lord, and be not afraid.

If some might be alive during crunch time, then we are looking at the grim prospect of the department of children and families getting involved, in order to try to coerce the unwilling to at least buy some food for their kids.

God has indeed promised bread, and water during that time, but no specific time frame is given yet as to when the miraculous food will begin. Thus, to the strictly logical thinking mind, it will be a no brainer, just to bow, in order to get your groceries.

And many friends and families would be at a loss to understand what is the problem with just taking the mark of allegiance, so that you could continue your normal daily living, so as to provide for your kids, at the very least.

Taking such a firm stand, in favor of God’s revealed will, would bring us out of the shadows, where, in some cases, we lived in our comfort zones without having to deal with confrontations in the family, on the job, or in the communities where we live.

The days of wine and roses are going to come to an end, and the servants of God would have to state very plainly, in the public square, exactly where we stand on the various issues which will pertain to the final conflict of the ages.

For many years we have been living the comfortable life as Christians, and even though other persons do not see eye to eye with our peculiar faith, we have been more or less tolerated. And because of this, a sort of lukewarm condition might have obtained in  some instances, where we just go with the flow.

The time is coming soon when our peculiar form of Christianity will not be looked upon so favorably, or tolerated anymore, and we would increasingly find ourselves at odds with mainstream philosophies, or doctrines, concepts, and practices that are currently embraced in contemporary Christian circles.

In the not-too distant future we will find ourselves in some awkward positions where we will have to take a definite stand for the truths of God’s word, against pushback, and terrible remonstrances from close associates.

All of that is included when Jesus says that a man’s foes will be those of his own household. That easy going form of Christianity, where persons are not brought into straitened places, where you could hide your light under a bushel without taking up the cross of Christ in public, will come to an end.

We would have to let our employers and customers know that we will not be working over the sacred hours of the Sabbath. And even if persons have to take a material loss by doing so, the true Christian will have to be prepared to follow Jesus all the way, whatever the cost. Let’s read:

[RH January 1 1889, par 4] Prophecy represents Protestantism as having lamb-like horns, but speaking like a dragon. Already we are beginning to hear the voice of the dragon. There is the prospect before us, of waging a continuous war, at the risk of imprisonment, of losing property and even life itself, to defend the law of God, which is being made void by the laws of men.

In other words, there are some of us who would get into trouble for preaching and teaching the straight, unadulterated truths of God’s word. And therefore, if the husband and wife are not on the same page, it will cause friction to erupt between the two of them as they read from completely different scripts.

The father in the home must take time to converse with his wife and family about the prophecies that are scheduled for the final conflict, so that they will not build their hopes upon fanciful perspectives of instantaneous deliverance from God, at every first sign of trouble.

Especially should Scriptural instructions be adopted, since the spirit of intolerance, vindictiveness, and anarchy are currently gaining the ascendency. Peter was eager to follow Jesus when mighty works were being done by Christ, and there was a desire in all of the disciples to be first in the kingdom, when things were going smoothly.

But when crunch time came around, and they saw the cost of Christianity taking a toll on Christ, as He was headed to Calvary, no one wanted to be first in the kingdom anymore, and they found themselves having to regroup, to consider carefully, whether or not they would stay the course with Jesus.

The reason for this is that being first in the kingdom meant that you were on the menu, and rather than suffer insult and injury for Christ’s sake they found themselves huddling together in the upper room, as they awaited their own fate, or so they thought.

Thus, they could not adequately explain to folk who were not disciples, why following Christ, at the cost of life itself made sense. Similarly, when our crunch time comes around, we may not be able to explain why we will prefer to starve, if it came to that rather than accept the mark of the beast.

It makes no sense to the secular mind and Christians who are living at that time, might not always be able to fully explain to others why this is the best and the only route to take. Strict logic often turns out to be the diabolical enemy of faith, and therefore, the you and me would have to confirm our initial decisions to follow Christ.

In the book of Daniel, we have examples of what we are speaking of, in the experiences of the 3 Hebrew worthies, who found themselves in some awkward situations even among their own fellow countrymen for there were many others, from their hometown who decided to bow under pressure.

The first test came with food, as is so often the case, for as was stated before, it began with food in Eden, and it will end with food during the coming crunch time. Nebuchadnezzar thought he was doing them a great favor by offering them the very best food from his own personal table.

Monarchs back then and monarchs in our day don’t usually eat what you and I do. They typically go for the specialties, and delicacies that only the wealthy can afford, and thus, eating from the king’s personal table, should have been considered a high privilege, as far as the strictly logical thinking mind goes.

But lo and behold, Daniel and his companions beg to differ, and with the prospect of a free education and paid tuition at the best Ivy league university in Babylon, many persons, friends and family, might’ve encouraged them to just eat the food, and shut up, especially with free tuition and boarding, and with promotions on the line.

Some would certainly argue, what’s the big deal, if you have to suck it up for a while, but not Daniel or his friends, for if it meant losing the best education in Babylon, and even if it meant that their lives will be endangered, they would not be eating the king’s food. To many persons, a decision like that will seem to be plain stupid, and foolish.

Others may reason that the ends justify the means, a statement that comes to us from the very depths of hell. With the Christian, the ends do not always justify the means, if the means include violating the laws of God.

In fact, what the prince of darkness often does is to present a good end, and then offer unlawful means to achieve that good end. Thus, you will see him in the wilderness with Christ, as he tempts Jesus to eat bread, the wrong way. Nothing is wrong with eating bread, but if you have to bow to eat, then the ends cannot justify the means.

Thus, Jesus showed us the godly route to take if and when our turn comes around. To be found faithful, we will have to make a decision, not to violate God’s law or our consciences under any circumstances, no matter how attractive and necessary, the good ends may seem to be.

As Jesus weighed the grim choices before Him, and the ways and means being suggested by the prince of darkness, He did what you and I should do in any similar situation. He chooses to die, if it came down to the wire, but under no circumstances would He allow the philosophy of “The end justify the means” to inform or guide His decision making. Let’s read:

Matthew 4: 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, if thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

11 Then the devil left him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

[Redemption BK 2 pp 39] Satan suggested to Christ that God would not leave his Son in this condition of want and suffering.

Many Christians in the remnant community believe that the promises of God to us during crunch time will be fulfilled instantaneously, and if they are not delivered on a dime the faith of many will be shaken to its core. To put it bluntly, crunch time will not be a breeze by any means, and therefore we should be managing our expectations prudently.

This is the crisis that Daniel and his 3 companions were facing, and those Hebrew worthies might not be able to explain to others why their decision is the best route to go. Should they bow down by eating what is forbidden?

Or should they stand their ground and face possible starvation or death, if Nebuchadnezzar gets ticked off as he is so often prone to do? How would such a decision on the part of the Hebrews be viewed by a logical thinking mind?

In fact, when speaking to the chief cook, Daniel said that he will not “Defile” himself with the king’s food. Now brethren, consider carefully the word defile in  the context.

If Daniel is speaking of Nebuchadnezzar’s food as being defiled, then he is implying that the cook is serving inferior food, and with Nebuchadnezzar’s penchant for retribution, no one in their right mind would want to refer to his personal food as defiled. Let’s read:

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so, nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

The word defile in the context means several things. It means that, as far as Daniel knew, the king’s food would include foods which are strictly forbidden in the book of Leviticus, foods, such as shrimp, oysters and pork, which forms a staple in many diets.

It would also include some Bud lights, and Johnny Walker black to wash down the food, for this is how the kings back then ate and drank. The word defile also meant that the foods were offered to idols first before being served, and this would be a definite no in Daniel’s mind, since it is forbidden in the Bible. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10: 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Exodus 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Psalms 106:28 They joined themselves also unto Baal-peor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

Isaiah 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the Lord.

There are certain countries in the world where fried mouse is considered a delicacy. This is not hear say, for we watched in dismay, with our own two eyes as several rats were roasted on an open fire, and then devoured by the people, as a protein meal.

In other parts of the world, rats, and persons drink from the same trough, and to the members of that community, this is nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. So yes, Daniel decided that he would not defile himself with the king’s food even if it cost him his education, at the best Ivy league schools in the province of Babylon.

Crunch time in the future, when the mark of the beast will be upon the face of the earth, will include not only the main issue of Sabbath versus Sunday, but also the issue of being able to access your daily bread at a cost.

The seventh day Sabbath versus Sunday issue would eventually come down to food, and to the economic freedoms we now enjoy, for the mark of the beast will tie it all up into one bundle, so that persons who will not bow will not eat from man’s storehouses.

[The Great Controversy pp 621] 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.

This leads us to the second major challenge faced by the faithful Hebrews, who, together with others of their own countrymen, were commanded to bow to the graven image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. When mortal men begin to think of themselves as God, the next thing they will require of those under their jurisdiction is worship.

That’s because worship demonstrates to whom your allegiance is given since worship consists of majority obedience, and minority praise. The king of Babylon wanted to make certain that every individual in his administration was on board with his agenda of an eternal Babylonian kingdom.

And the only way to secure their allegiance was to have them bow down to the symbol of his heaven daring defiance. He employed the carrot and stick method, by which he first commands them to bow down, but if the carrot did not work, the stick was to be employed in the heat of the furnace.

This issue was put to the test during crunch time for the Hebrews, as Nebuchadnezzar endeavored to twist their arms. Under threat, they’re commanded to bow, and if they did not, there would be severest consequences, in so much that they could become martyrs.

Should the Hebrews just do a little bow wow, and be done with it, so as to remain in the king’s good favor or should they stand their ground upon the truths of God’s word? Would the three Hebrews buckle this time in the face of death?

Would they attempt to save themselves by using the maxim: The end justifies the means, since the end is to save life? And if they were to stand their ground, would their relatives or family be in agreement with their choice to be burnt alive, rather than do a little bow wow?

This is the reason why it is said that crunch time is a time like no other, and will require a radical form of faith that many Christians are currently not familiar with. Being faithful unto death does not occur by an accident, but is the result of a rooted and grounded relationship with The God of heaven.

The faith of Jesus which you read of in Revelation chapter 14, is a radical type of faith, that is willing to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of the truth, and trusting God alone to mitigate the results if He so chooses. Thus, it was with this mindset that the three Hebrews would now approach the crisis of their lives.

Their experiences are actually a microcosm of what would take place in the near future, as man-worship gains the ascendency in our day. Just as the various branches of Nebuchadnezzar’s government united to coerce a false form of worship, just so will those who seek world dominion, use everything at their disposal, to force persons to bow. Let’s read:

Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

4 Then a herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded O people, nations, and languages,

5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up.

6 And whoso falls not down and worships shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

8 Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

9 They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live forever.

12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

They were not willing to sacrifice principle for some temporary gain and if it came down to the wire they were willing to die, rather than betray sacred trusts. There’s no doubt we in our day could use some men like that, men who have spine, who would not allow circumstances to dictate what they decide as being right or wrong.

Too often we see persons buckle under pressure as they succumb to a barrage of threats from kings and dear leaders. The ghost of Nebuchadnezzar is flitting all around us nowadays, and according to Scripture, it will just be a matter of time, before his ways and means are adopted by mortals who seek worship.

In our day, a lot of pressure is being brought to bear against persons who refuse to bow down. And we’re facing an epidemic of bowers, who would do just about anything in violation of conscience, so as to survive. Persons are sacrificing principles, left, right and center, while others are turning a blind eye to evils that baffle even satan.

Just for clarity, bowing down does not mean bowing down in the most literal sense. It means bowing, by doing things against your conscience, things that are contrary to God’s clearly revealed will, because your arm has been twisted.

So, the question for us crunch timers is: what will it take to make you bow down in order to access your economic privileges? Will you reason that the ends justify the means, if the end goal is to save your life. Or will we stand like the brave, with our face to the foe, by not bowing.

How much arm twisting can you endure, and do you have a threshold point after which you would break and buckle under the heavy load? We’re speaking of the crunch time like no other in the history of earth, when a radical form of godliness will be required of those who will survive the perils of the last days.

Folks are losing their seats in the house, and senate at an alarming rate, and others now find themselves having to regroup, if they want to survive. But the question is: Does the end justify the means? And if the heat of the furnace is turned up several notches, will persons break and buckle under pressure?

Crunch time, no doubt is going to produce one of two reactions in persons. It will either reveal sterling character that has been built upon the Rock Christ Jesus, or it would be made manifest that some folks are creatures of circumstance. Let’s read:

[The Great Controversy pp 604] 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,” [Revelation 13:16.] 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.

With the issue thus clearly brought before him, whoever 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.

It is in a crisis that true character is revealed, and that is why The Lord is sending us this wake-up call, to alert us to the urgency of the moment. Now is the time for us to live in readiness because all of the prophecies pertaining to crunch time are now being fulfilled, or will be fulfilled in the very near future.

And to those who might be still sitting on the fence, The Lord would have us understand that the fence is not a safe place to be, because crunch time is not a spectator sport. Every person living on the planet at that time will be involved.

Thus, God encourages everyone listening to make your calling and election sure by first choosing Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives, and then applying that decision in practical ways by allowing The Holy Spirit to interface truth in our everyday experience.

It is a work that cannot be put off for another day, except at grave peril to our souls, and thus, we will end the study with a passage of Scripture that calls us to the urgency of the moment, as we beseech you in Christ’s stead, to be reconciled to God. Let’s read:

Romans 13: 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

                                     God Bless!