Restoring
the first, second, and fourth commandments of God;
God’s true revival of primitive faith and godliness;
and the true worship of God,
which the heathen have made void.
cccOur Father in Heaven, we pray that You help people
not to perish and not to be lost, because of the openly heathen
threat from within; but, to be able to especially discern and to
literally see the impenitent heathen within. Therefore, we ask
for Your power or Spirit to bless the restoration of Your
commandments, which have been made void by heathen teachers. This
petition includes a present request for Your blessing upon this
study, as this study seeks to begin restoring: (1.) Your first,
second, and fourth commandments; (2.) Your true revival of
primitive faith and godliness; and (3.) Your true worship - -
which have all been made void by the heathen. Most of all, may
Your will be done in all these matters. In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
ccc“And ye shall perish among the heathen . . . .” — Leviticus 26:38.
ccc“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from
among the heathen . . . .
cccIt is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have
made void Thy law. . . Thy righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, and Thy law is the truth. . . My tongue shall
speak of Thy Word: for all Thy commandments are
righteousness.” — Psalms 106:47; 119:126, 142, 172.
ccc“It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a [true] revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people.” — GC 478, written in 1888.
ccc“Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods.” — Deuteronomy 4:27, 28.
ccc“And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.” — Micah 5:15.
cccThus, please see God's warning about the heathen, worse than dead, fraudulent or not genuine, lukewarm Laodiceans and/or the openly heathen church of the Laodiceans, as follows to the end of this study:
ccc“Those who claim to be the children of God, and yet do not obey His commands, who are hearers but not doers of the Word, are regarded by the Lord as bankers regard fraudulent bank-notes. They are not genuine. They claim the name of Christian, but in reality they are heathen. To those who do not practise it, the Word of God is a dead letter. Christ says of such, 'I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth.' If they realized that they were sinners, He could plead in their behalf, and the Lord would arouse them by His Holy Spirit [i.e., by His true power; by His true Latter Rain]. But He can not present them to the Father; for they are worse than dead in trespasses and sins. They hear the Word, but make no application of it to themselves. Instead, they apply the Word to their neighbors. God can be no power [i.e., no Holy Spirit; no Latter Rain] to lukewarm Laodiceans.” — ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
ccc“Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” — Deuteronomy 4:27, 28.
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . .” — PP 336:2, written in 1890.
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.” — 1 Chronicles 16:26.
ccc“The . . . gods [i.e., idols] . . . of the heathen.” — Zephaniah 2:11.
ccc“. . . the abominations of the heathen . . .” — 2 Kings 16:3.
ccc“Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord . . .” — 2 Chronicles 36:14.
ccc“He said also unto me [i.e., the true Lord
Jesus Christ said unto the true prophet Ezekiel], Turn thee yet
again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Then
He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house [i.e.,
of the Lord's professed house] which was toward the north; and,
behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz [i.e., Tammuz was and
is the visible false christ god of ancient and modern heathenism
in a professing religious guise; and/or Tammuz was and is the
heathen, dead, deified common man or so-called hero of ancient
and modern heathenism in a professing religious guise; and/or
Tammuz was and is the visible representation of Satan claiming
that he is Christ Himself or that he is God in these last days;
and/or Tammuz was and is a visible abomination of ancient and
modern heathenism in a professing religious guise]. . . Then He
said unto me [i.e., then the true Lord Jesus Christ said unto the
true prophet Ezekiel], Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a
light thing to the house of Judah [i.e., to the professed people
of God] that they commit the abominations which they commit here?
for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to
provoke Me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose
[i.e., in this context, the expression: 'they put the branch to
their nose' is a Hebrew idiom or saying, which means they are as
those who mock the God of Heaven]. . . .
cccAnd ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye have
not walked in My statutes, neither executed My Judgments, but
have done after the manners of the heathen that are round about
you. . . .
cccAgain the Word of the Lord came unto me [i.e., came
unto the true prophet Ezekiel], saying, Son of man, cause
Jerusalem to know her abominations . . . .
cccBecause they despised My Judgments, and walked not
in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart went
after their idols [i.e., after their visible, heathen, false
gods]. . .
cccThus Ezekiel is unto you a sign [i.e., a true sign]:
according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this
cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord God. . .
cccThe Word of the Lord came again unto me [i.e., came
again unto the true prophet Ezekiel], saying, Son of man,
prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Howl ye, Woe worth the
day! For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a
cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.” —
Ezekiel 8:13-14; 11:12; 16:1-2; 20:16; 24:24; 30:1-3.
ccc
cccccc“They [i.e., the impenitent heathen] drank
wine, and praised the gods [i.e., praised the idols] of gold, and
of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” —
Daniel 5:4.
ccc“They . . . were mingled among the heathen, and
learned their works [i.e., see this 'work' discussed in the next
three quotes and more below]. And they served their idols [i.e.,
their gods]: which were a snare unto them.” — Psalms
106:34, 35-36.
ccc
ccc“The principle that man can save himself by his
own works lay at the foundation of every heathen religion . . .
.” — DA 35, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now
their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever
He hath pleased. Their idols [i.e., their gods] are silver and
gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak
not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they
hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands,
but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither
speak they through their throat [i.e., thus, they are not alive;
they are visible, but dead]. They that make them are like unto
them; so is every one that trusteth in them.” — Psalms
115:2-8.
ccc
ccc“The idols [i.e., the gods] of the heathen are
silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but
they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears,
but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths
[i.e., thus, they are not alive; they are visible, but dead].
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that
trusteth in them.” — Psalms 135:15-18.
ccc
ccc“The light of God in nature is shining
continually into the darkness of heathenism, but many who see
this light do not glorify the Lord as God. They do not permit
reason to lead them to acknowledge their Creator. They refuse the
Lord, and set up senseless idols [i.e., senseless gods] to adore.
They make images which represent God . . . .” — ST
August 12, 1889; or 2ST 311.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“The . . . heathen . . . dishonor Him . .
.” — 5T 196:2, written in 1882.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“How my heart has been grieved as I have seen,
in galleries of art, pictures representing Christ.” —
3MR 85; or MS 42, 1886.
ccc
ccc“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or
silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.” —
Acts 17:29.
ccc
ccc“His arts and devices [i.e., Satan's or the
enemies' arts and devices] are received as from Heaven, and faith
in the detector, the Bible, is destroyed in the minds of
thousands. Satan here receives the worship which suits his
satanic majesty. Thousands are conversing with, and receiving
instructions from, this demon-god and acting according to his
teachings.” — 1T 296, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“Satan's object [i.e., the heathen god's
object; the enemies' object] is to dishonor God . . .”
— 5T 295, written in 1885.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . aiding the enemy [i.e., aiding Satan]
. . . The term 'lukewarm' is applicable to this class.”
— 4T 87, written in 1876.
ccc
ccc“Lukewarm [i.e., aiding the enemy or aiding
Satan] and halfhearted, they dishonor God [i.e., please see
below] far more than the avowed unbeliever.” — 7BC
970:1:7, or Letter 121, 1903.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“True love seeks first the honor of God and the
salvation of souls.” — PK 141, written in 1915.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“The angel with the writer's ink-horn by his
side will not put the seal of God upon any . . . who . . .
dishonors . . . God.” — SSW October 1, 1885.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“The work that is done to the honor and glory
of God will bear the seal of God.” — Ev 329; or Letter
153, 1903.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Only those who receive the seal of the living
God will have the passport through the gates of the Holy City. .
. .
cccMany will not receive the seal of God because they
do not keep His commandments or bear the fruits of righteousness.
cccThe great mass of professing Christians will meet
with bitter disappointment in the day of God. They have not upon
their foreheads the seal of the living God. Lukewarm [i.e.,
aiding the enemy or aiding Satan, who was and is Baal, Belial,
Beelzebub, the beast power, the dragon, the prince of darkness,
the demon-god, the master of deception, the god of this world,
the father of lies, the false father god, the counterfeit power
or unholy spirit deity, and the false christ god of ancient and
modern heathenism] and halfhearted, they dishonor God [i.e.,
please remember the previous quotation above] far more than the
avowed unbeliever. They grope in darkness [i.e., thus, please see
this 'darkness' of heathenism discussed more to the end of this
study] . . . .” — 7BC 970:1:2, or Letter 164, 1909; 7BC
970:1:6, or Letter 76, 1900; and 7BC 970:1:7, or Letter 121,
1903.
ccc
ccc“God's work in the earth in these last days is
to reflect the light that Christ brought into the world. This
light is to dissipate the gross darkness of ages. Men and women
in heathen darkness are to be reached by those who at one time
were in a similar condition of ignorance, but who have received
the knowledge of the of God's Word.” — SpTB11:27:3,
written in 1907.
ccc
ccc“The light of God is ever shining amid the
darkness of heathenism.” — DA 59, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“But there is no union between the Prince of
light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union
between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with
those who were but half converted from paganism [i.e., and/or
when Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
converted from Laodiceanism or open heathenism], they entered
upon a path which led farther and farther from the truth.”
— GC 44-45, written in 1888.
ccc
ccc“The light of God in nature is shining
continually into the darkness of heathenism, but many who see
this light do not glorify the Lord as God. They do not permit
reason to lead them to acknowledge their Creator. They refuse the
Lord, and set up senseless idols [i.e., senseless gods] to adore.
They make images which represent God and worship His created
works [i.e., worship stone; wood; paper; gold; silver; bronze;
brass; iron; paint; ink; charcoal; lead pencil; felt; or some
other visible, dead, material objects or created works] as a
partial acknowledgment of Him, but they dishonor Him in their
hearts.” — ST August 12, 1889; or 2ST 311.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Any habit or practice that would lead into
sin, and bring dishonor upon Christ, would better be put away,
whatever the sacrifice. That which dishonors God cannot benefit
the soul.” — DA 439:2, “Who Is the
Greatest?,” written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt not make . . .” — Exodus
20:4.
ccc
ccc“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” — Proverbs
28:9.
ccc
ccc“The first and second commandments spoken by
Jehovah are precepts against idolatry. This sin if practiced,
would lead men to great lengths in rebellion . . . God would
guard against the least approach to such abominations. The first
four commandments were given to show men their duty to God . . .
.
cccAgain the Lord seeks to guard His people against
idolatry [i.e., against open heathenism and/or Laodiceanism] . .
. making to themselves images to represent God.” — ST
May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people
against idolatry [i.e., against open heathenism and/or
Laodiceanism] . . . making to themselves images to represent
God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
ccc
ccc“ . . . idolatry . . . is . . . demon
worship.” — PP 685:5, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“All idolatry is devil worship.” —
Author Unknown; ST January 25, 1899.
ccc
ccc“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9.
ccc
ccc“If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”
— John 14:15.
ccc
ccc“. . . them that hate Me . . .” —
Exodus 20:5.
ccc
ccc“Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred
temple are men brought into communion with Heaven. Religion is
not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion
that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God.
In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine
Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us
a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a
willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true
worship.” — DA 189, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“The incense of true worship, which should have
been offered to God, has been mingled with the worship of self.
In the place of lifting their thoughts to God, in the place of
learning to know Him better, men deny Him in their lives. Their
attention is taken up with objects [i.e., see these 'objects'
discussed in the next three quotes below] that conceal God from
their view.” — 9MR 386; or Letter 143, 1904.
ccc
cccTherefore, please remember “objects” and
more discussed in the previous quote; and please see these
“objects,” see “material objects,” see what
lowers man's conception of God, see what degrades man, see what
pollutes God's Sabbath, and see much more discussed in the next
three quotes and more below to the end of this study, as follows:
ccc
ccc“The Lord had done marvelous things for His
people in the manifesting of His power as the only true and
living God; yet many had been led astray by the Satanic delusion
that God might be represented by material objects [i.e., by
stone; wood; paper; marble; silver; gold; brass; bronze; iron;
paint; ink; lead pencil; felt; or by some other visible, dead,
and material objects], the works of men's hands. By the
contemplation of these things, their minds were diverted from
God.” — ST May 19, 1881; or 1ST 277.
ccc
ccc“The attempt to represent the Eternal One by
material objects [i.e., by stone; wood; paper; marble; silver;
gold; brass; bronze; iron; paint; ink; lead pencil; felt; or by
some other visible, dead, and material objects] would lower man's
conception of God. The mind, turned away from the infinite
perfection of Jehovah, would be attracted to the creature rather
than to the Creator. And as his conceptions of God were lowered,
so would man become degraded.” — PP 306, written in
1890.
ccc
ccc“'Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.'
cccJehovah, the eternal, self-existent, uncreated One,
Himself the Source and Sustainer of all, is alone entitled to
supreme reverence and worship [i.e., true reverence and worship].
Man is forbidden to give to any other object [i.e., please
remember 'objects' and more discussed in the previous three
quotes above] the first place in his affections or his service.
Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to
interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god.
ccc'''Thou
shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness' . . .
.
cccThe second commandment forbids the worship [i.e.,
forbids the vain worship; forbids the self worship; forbids the
worship of created works; forbids the demon worship; forbids the
Satan worship] of the true God by images or similitudes. Many
heathen nations [i.e., to include: the heathen, worse than dead,
openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting and more,
impenitent, vain worshiping, self worshiping, worshiping of
created works, demon worshiping, Satan worshiping, Satan aiding
or lukewarm church of the Laodiceans] claimed that their images
were mere figures or symbols by which the Deity was worshiped
[i.e., was truly worshiped], but God has declared such worship
[i.e., such vain worship; such self worship; such worship of
created works; such demon worship; such Satan worship] to be sin.
The attempt to represent the Eternal One by material objects
[i.e., by stone; wood; paper; marble; silver; gold; brass;
bronze; iron; paint; ink; lead pencil; felt; or by some other
visible, dead, and material objects] would lower man's conception
of God. The mind, turned away from the infinite perfection of
Jehovah, would be attracted to the creature rather than to the
Creator. And as his conceptions of God were lowered, so would man
become degraded. . . .
cccBy causing men to violate the second commandment,
Satan aimed to degrade their conceptions of the Divine Being. By
setting aside the fourth, he would cause them to forget God
altogether. God's claim to reverence and worship [i.e., true
reverence and worship], above the gods of the heathen [i.e.,
above the gods of the heathen, worse than dead, openly idolatrous
and thus openly Sabbath polluting and more, impenitent, vain
worshiping, self worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon
worshiping, Satan worshiping, Satan aiding or lukewarm church of
the Laodiceans], is based upon the fact that He is the Creator .
. . Had the Sabbath always been sacredly observed, there could
never have been an atheist or an idolater.” — PP
305-306, 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“. . . all the gods . . . are idols . . .”
— Psalms 96:5.
ccc
ccc“Because they despised My Judgments, and walked
not in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart
went after their idols [i.e., after their gods; and/or after
their forbidden images or pictures which were and are made to
supposedly represent God].” — Ezekiel 20:16.
ccc
ccc“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from
idolatry [i.e., flee from heathenism; and/or flee from
impenitent, openly heathen, worse than dead, openly idolatrous
and thus openly Sabbath polluting and more, impenitent, vain
worshiping, self worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon
worshiping, Satan worshiping, Satan aiding or lukewarm
Laodiceans]. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:14-15.
ccc
ccc“Thus saith the Lord, Keep ye judgment, and do
justice: for My salvation is near to come, and My righteousness
to be revealed. Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son
of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from
polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. . . Also
the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to
serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants,
every one that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh
hold of My covenant; even them will I bring to My holy mountain,
and make them joyful in My house of prayer . . . .” —
Isaiah 56:1-2, 6-7.
ccc
ccc“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the
law, even his prayer shall be abomination.” — Proverbs
28:9.
ccc
ccc“Little children, keep yourselves from idols
[i.e., from gods; and/or from forbidden images or pictures which
are made to supposedly represent God]. Amen.” — 1 John
5:21.
ccc
ccc“. . . all the gods . . . are idols . . .”
— Psalms 96:5.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . .”
— PP 336:2, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:26.
ccc
ccc“The . . . gods [i.e., idols] . . . of the
heathen.” — Zephaniah 2:11.
ccc
ccc“The light of God in nature is shining
continually into the darkness of heathenism, but many who see
this light do not glorify the Lord as God. They do not permit
reason to lead them to acknowledge their Creator. They refuse the
Lord, and set up senseless idols [i.e., senseless gods] to adore.
They make images which represent God . . . .” — ST
August 12, 1889; or 2ST 311.
ccc
ccc“. . . the abominations of the heathen . .
.” — 2 Kings 16:3.
ccc
ccc“And ye have seen their abominations [i.e., and
ye have seen the heathen's abominations], and their idols [i.e.,
gods], wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among
them.” — Deuteronomy 29:17.
ccc
ccc“Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the
people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the
heathen; and polluted the house of the Lord . . .” — 2
Chronicles 36:14.
ccc
ccc“And ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye
have not walked in My statutes, neither executed My Judgments,
but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round
about you. . . .
cccAgain the Word of the Lord came unto me [i.e., came
unto the true prophet Ezekiel], saying, Son of man, cause
Jerusalem to know her abominations . . . .
ccc. . . . they walked not in My statutes, and they
despised My Judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in
them; and My Sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would
pour out My fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. .
. Because they despised My Judgments, and walked not in My
statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart went after
their idols [i.e., after their gods; and/or after their forbidden
images or pictures which were and are made to supposedly
represent God]. . . Notwithstanding the children rebelled against
Me: they walked not in My statutes, neither kept My Judgments to
do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they
polluted My Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out My fury upon
them, to accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness. . .
Because they had not executed My Judgments, but had despised My
statutes, and had polluted My Sabbaths, and their eyes were after
their fathers' idols [i.e., after their fathers' gods; and/or
after their fathers' forbidden images or pictures which were and
are made to supposedly represent God]. . . .
cccThus Ezekiel is unto you a sign [i.e., a true sign]:
according to all that he hath done shall ye do: and when this
cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord God. . .
cccThe Word of the Lord came again unto me [i.e., came
again unto the true prophet Ezekiel], saying, Son of man,
prophesy and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Howl ye, Woe worth the
day! For the day is near, even the day of the Lord is near, a
cloudy day; it shall be the time of the heathen.” —
Ezekiel 11:12; 16:1-2; 20:13, 16, 21, 24; 24:24; 30:1-3.
ccc
ccc“And ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye
have not walked in My statutes, neither executed My Judgments,
but have done after the manners of the heathen that are round
about you. . . .
ccc. . . . they despised My Judgments, and walked not
in My statutes, but polluted My Sabbaths: for their heart went
after their idols [i.e., after their gods; and/or after their
openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting, vain
worshiping, self worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon
worshiping, Satan worshiping, Satan aiding, God dishonoring,
forbidden images or pictures which were and are made to
supposedly represent God].” — Ezekiel 11:12; 20:16.
cccv
cccHow tragic that in Conference and supposedly
non-Conference ranks the perishing, lost, impenitent, openly
idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting, vain worshiping,
self worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon worshiping,
Satan worshiping, Satan aiding or lukewarm Laodiceans will do
studies on Sabbath keeping or on how to keep the Sabbath holy;
but, since the term, “lukewarm,” means “aiding the
enemy” or aiding Satan [4T 87], they predictably will never
talk about their polluting of God's Sabbath with their idols,
and/or with their gods, or with their forbidden images or
pictures which are made to supposedly represent God. Thus,
impenitent and openly heathen Laodiceans aide and please Satan in
their Sabbath polluting or in their deceptively exalting a
Sabbath of Satan's creating. Thus, Satan, the secretly disguised,
openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting god of
ancient and modern heathenism, is not only pleased that
deceptive, impenitent, openly heathen Babylonians engage in
Sunday keeping, and/or in sun-day-keeping, and/or in
sun-gods-keeping, and/or in keeping idols, and/or in keeping to
themselves forbidden images or pictures to supposedly represent
God, but Satan is aided and pleased to a greater degree that even
more deceptive, impenitent, openly heathen Laodiceans engage in
Sabbath polluting, and/or in sun-gods-keeping, and/or in keeping
idols, and/or in keeping to themselves forbidden images or
pictures to supposedly represent God. Satan is pleased: (1.) by
the deceptive, openly heathen, Babylonian church's Sunday
keeping; and (2.) by the more deceptive, openly heathen,
Laodicean church's Sabbath polluting. Therefore, both Sunday
keeping and Sabbath polluting please Satan, and both are well
suited to his satanic plans.
ccc
ccc“As the people of God approach the perils of
the last days, Satan holds earnest consultation with his angels
as to the most successful plan of overthrowing their faith. . . .
cccSays the great deceiver: 'We must watch those who
are calling the attention of the people to the Sabbath of
Jehovah; they will lead many to see the claims of the law of God;
and the same light which reveals the true Sabbath, reveals also
the ministration of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary, and shows
that the last work for man's salvation is now going forward. Hold
the minds of the people in darkness till that work is ended, and
we shall secure the world and the church also.'
ccc''The
Sabbath is the great question which is to decide the destiny of
souls. We must exalt the Sabbath of our creating [i.e., thus,
seventh-day Sabbath polluting is a Sabbath of Satan's creating,
as is first-day Sunday keeping yet another Sabbath of Satan's
creating].'” — 4SP 337, 338, written in 1884.
ccc
ccc“Those who would have the seal of God in their
foreheads must keep the [true] Sabbath of the fourth commandment.
This is what distinguishes them from the disloyal, who have
accepted a man-made institution in the place of the true Sabbath
[i.e., remember; accepting open idolatry and thus accepting open
Sabbath polluting is highly visible and clear evidence of having
accepted open heathenism, a man-made institution in the place of
the true Sabbath]. The observance of God's rest day is the mark
of distinction between him that serveth God and him that serveth
Him not.” — 7BC 970:1:3; or MS 27, 1899.
ccc
ccc“Only those who receive the seal of the living
God will have the passport through the gates of the Holy
City.” — 7BC 970:1:2; or Letter 164, 1909.
ccc
ccc“Many will not receive the seal of God because
they do not keep His commandments or bear the fruits of
righteousness.” — 7BC 970:1:6; or Letter 76, 1900.
ccc
ccc“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1
John 3:4.
cccThe message to the church of the Laodiceans is a
startling denunciation . . .
cccI have been shown that God here illustrates how He
regards sin among those who profess to be His commandment-keeping
people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the
remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and
who will even then venture to disregard His express directions,
will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people [i.e.,
His professed people] that disobedience and sin are exceedingly
offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us
that when His people [i.e., when His professed people] are found
in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin
from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the
sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible
positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God
[i.e., the professed people of God], as a body, will be held
responsible for those sins. In His dealings with His people in
the past [i.e., with His professed people in the past] the Lord
shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One
sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God
from the entire congregation. When the people realize that
darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause,
they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and
self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are
searched out and put away.
ccc. . . . If wrongs are apparent among His people
[i.e., among His professed people], and if the servants of God
[i.e., if the professed servants of God] pass on indifferent to
them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are
alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of
God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the
guilty. In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the
displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of
His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among
them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by
the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply
because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The
task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided
it. . . .
cccThe spirit of hatred which has existed with some
because the wrongs among God's people [i.e., among God's
professed people] have been reproved has brought blindness and a
fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for
them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out
their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they
do not feel as did Joshua [i.e., if you wish, see 'Joshua's
Farewell Address' in ST May 19, 1881; or 1ST 277-278] and humble
themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them.
cccThe true people of God, who have the Spirit of the
work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever
view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on
the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily
beset the people of God [i.e., the professed people of God].
Especially in the closing work for the church [i.e., especially
in the closing work for the openly heathen, worse than dead,
openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting, vain
worshiping, self worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon
worshiping, Satan worshiping, Satan aiding or lukewarm, Laodicean
church], in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four
thousand who are to stand without fault before the Throne of God,
will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people.
This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the
last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter
weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen,
with a writer's inkhorn by his side. '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.'
cccWho are standing in the counsel of God at this time?
Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed
people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly,
against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their
stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong?
No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave [i.e., the word,
'leave,' means to go away from or to separate from] the work of
Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in
holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive
the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general
destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five
men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those
who receive the pure mark of truth [i.e., those who receive the
salvation-related seal of the living God or the pure mark of
truth], wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost,
represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those 'that sigh
and that cry for all the abominations that be done' in the church
[i.e., in the openly heathen, worse than dead, openly idolatrous
and thus openly Sabbath polluting, vain worshiping, self
worshiping, worshiping of created works, demon worshiping, Satan
worshiping, Satan aiding or lukewarm, Laodicean church]. Their
love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they
have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that
they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying.
Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel.
cccBut the general slaughter of all those who do not
thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do
not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive
the mark, is described in the order to the five men with
slaughter weapons: 'Go ye after him through the city, and smite:
let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old
and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come
not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My
sanctuary.'” — 3T 252, 265, 266, 267, written in 1873.
ccc
ccc“This sealing of the servants of God is the
same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision.” — TM 445.
ccc
ccc“'In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard
the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also
after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of
promise.' Ephesians 1:13. What is the seal of the living God,
which is placed in the foreheads of His [true] people? It is a
mark which angels, but not human eyes, can read; for the
destroying angel must see this mark of redemption.
cccThe angel with the writer's ink horn [i.e., God's
third angel and/or also God's sealing angel of Revelation
14:9-12; 21:7-10, 27; Ezekiel 8:1-18: 9:1-11; EW 118:2,
279:2-282:2; Ezekiel 11:12; 16:1-2; 20:16, 30-32; 24:24; 30:1-3]
is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated
from sin and sinners [i.e., all who are separated from sin and
impenitent, open sinners], and the destroying angel follows this
angel.” — 4BC 1161:2:2-3; or Letter 126, 1898, and
Letter 12, 1886.
ccc
ccc“Those who are distrustful of self, who are
humbling themselves before God and purifying their souls by
obeying the truth these are receiving the Heavenly mold and
preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads. When the decree
goes forth and the stamp is impressed, their character will
remain pure and spotless for eternity.
cccNow is the time to prepare.” — 5T 216,
written in 1882.
ccc
ccc“Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will
be sealed. . . .
cccWhat are you doing, brethren, in the great work of
preparation? Those who are uniting with the world [i.e., please
see below] are receiving the worldly mold and preparing for the
mark of the beast.” — 5T 213, 216, written in 1882.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“Satan, by means of his success in turning man
aside from the path of obedience, became 'the god of this world.'
2 Corinthians 4:4.” — PK 682, written in 1915.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“I was shown the conformity of some professed
Sabbathkeepers to the world. Oh, I saw that it is a disgrace to
their profession, a disgrace to the cause of God. They give the
lie to their profession. They think they are not like the world,
but they are so near like them in dress, in conversation, and
actions, that there is no distinction.” — 1T 131,
written in 1856.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness. They are blinded by the god of this world,
and are led by the spirit of the prince of darkness [i.e., led by
the heathen spirit, and/or led by the heathen power, and/or led
by the third person of the counterfeit godhead of heathenism,
and/or led by the counterfeit latter rain of the prince of
darkness].” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“None will enter the Holy City, the paradise of
God, but as conquerors,--those who have separated themselves from
the world.” — RH August 25, 1885; or 1RH 542.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“Satanic agencies are moved by a power from
beneath to stir up wicked men to unite with the enemy [i.e., see
below] in causing distress to the people who are keeping the
commandments of God.” — RH August 20, 1901; or 4RH 327.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . aiding the enemy [i.e., aiding Satan,
the enemy of God and man, and the secretly disguised, openly
idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting god of ancient and
modern heathenism] . . . The term 'lukewarm' is applicable to
this class.” — 4T 87, written in 1876.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the [professed] people of God today. It is
a message to professing Christians who have become so much like
the world that no difference can be seen. 'And unto the angel of
the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen,
the faithful and True Witness, the beginning of the creation of
God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm
[i.e., aiding the enemy or aiding Satan, who was and is Baal,
Belial, Beelzebub, the beast power, the dragon, the prince of
darkness, the demon-god, the master of deception, the god of this
world, the father of lies, the false father god, the counterfeit
power or unholy spirit deity, and the false christ god of ancient
and modern heathenism], and neither cold nor hot, I will spue
thee out of My mouth.' . . . .
cccLove of self excludes the love of Christ [i.e.,
thus, the love of self excludes the ten commandments of Christ].
Those who live for self are ranged under the head of the
Laodicean church who are lukewarm [i.e., aiding the enemy or
aiding Satan, the god of this world who is represented by the
visible idols or by the forbidden images and pictures of ancient
and modern heathenism], neither cold nor hot. The ardor of the
first love has lapsed into a selfish egotism. The love of Christ
in the heart is expressed in the actions. If love for Christ is
dull, the love for those for whom Christ has died will
degenerate. There may be a wonderful appearance for zeal and
ceremonies, but this is the substance of their self-inflated
religion. Christ represents them as nauseating to His taste.
'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: I counsel thee to buy
of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white
raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.' Revelation 3:17-18.
cccSelf-exaltation is a dangerous element. It tarnishes
everything it touches. It is the offspring of pride [i.e., the
child of pride; and, thus, not the child of God], and it works so
ingeniously that, unless guarded against, it will take possession
of the thoughts and control the actions. . . .
cccHow few bear in mind that the tempter was once a
covering cherub, a being whom God created for His own name's
glory. Satan fell from his high position through self-exaltation;
he misused the high capabilities with which God had so richly
endowed him. He fell for the same reason that thousands are
falling today, because of an ambition to be first, an
unwillingness to be under restraint. The Lord would teach man the
lesson that, though united in church capacity, he is not saved
until the seal of God is placed upon him. . . .
ccc. . . . In a little while every one who is a child
of God [i.e., not the child of heathen gods] will have His seal
placed upon him. O that it may be placed upon our foreheads! Who
can endure the thought of being passed by when the angel goes
forth to seal the servants of God [i.e., not the servants of
heathen gods] in their foreheads?
cccOnly those who receive the seal of the living God
will have the passport through the gates of the Holy City. But
there are many who take upon themselves responsibilities in
connection with the work of God who are not wholehearted
believers, and while they remain thus cannot receive the seal of
the living God. They trust in their own righteousness, which the
Lord accounts as foolishness.
cccThose who would have the seal of God in their
foreheads must keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. This
is what distinguishes them from the disloyal, who have accepted a
man-made institution in the place of the true Sabbath. The
observance of God's rest day is the mark of distinction between
him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.
cccThe seal of the living God will be placed upon those
only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.
cccMany will not receive the seal of God because they
do not keep His commandments or bear the fruits of righteousness.
cccThe great mass of professing Christians will meet
with bitter disappointment in the day of God. They have not upon
their foreheads the seal of the living God. Lukewarm [i.e.,
aiding the enemy or aiding Satan, the god of this world who is
represented by the visible idols or by the forbidden images and
pictures of ancient and modern heathenism] and halfhearted [i.e.,
also, please see 'half-hearted' in the next quote], they dishonor
God far more than the avowed unbeliever. They grope in darkness
[i.e., also, please see this 'darkness' of heathenism and more
discussed to the end of this study, which is fast approaching] .
. . .” — 7BC 959:2:1, or RH August 20, 1903; 7BC
962:2:2, or MS 61, 1898; 7BC 962:2:3, or RH September 25, 1900;
7BC 969:1:4, or Letter 80, 1898; 7BC 969-970, or RH May 28, 1889;
7BC 970:1:2, or Letter 164, 1909; 7BC 970:1:3, or MS 27, 1899;
7BC 970:1:4, or RH May 21, 1895; 7BC 970:1:6, or Letter 76, 1900;
and 7BC 970:1:7, or Letter 121, 1903.
cccIn the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
we must show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of
darkness into His marvelous light. . . . .
cccThe clear, sharp testimony of living truth will
separate the wheat from the chaff, the half-hearted from the
humble and devoted.” — ST June 26, 1884; or 1ST 442.
ccc
ccc“The light of God in nature is shining
continually into the darkness of heathenism, but many who see
this light do not glorify the Lord as God. They do not permit
reason to lead them to acknowledge their Creator. They refuse the
Lord, and set up senseless idols [i.e., senseless gods] to adore.
They make images which represent God . . . .” — ST
August 12, 1889; or 2ST 311.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness. They are blinded by the god of this world,
and are led by the spirit of the prince of darkness. They cannot
enjoy Heavenly things. The children of light have their
affections set on things above. They leave behind them the things
of this world. They fulfill the command: 'Come out from among
them, and be ye separate.' Here is the conditional promise: 'I
will receive you.' From the beginning, Christ has chosen His
people out of the world and required them to be separate, having
no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.” —
1T 279:2, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” —
Ephesians 5:11.
ccc
ccc“The word 'fellowship' means participation,
partnership. God employs the strongest figures to show that there
should be no union between worldly parties and those who are
seeking the righteousness of Christ. What communion [i.e., what
true Lord's supper] can there be between light and darkness,
truth and unrighteousness? None whatever. Light represents
righteousness; darkness, unrighteousness. Christians [i.e., but
not impenitent, openly heathen, Satan aiding or lukewarm
Laodiceans] have come out of darkness into the light.”
— GW 392, written in 1915.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“Many of the mistakes that are made by the
professed servants of God are in consequence of their self-love,
their desire for approval, their thirst for popularity. Blinded
in this manner, they do not realize that they are elements of
darkness rather than of light. 'Come out from among them, and be
ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and
I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall
be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.' [2
Corinthians 6:17-18.] These are the conditions upon which we may
be acknowledged as the sons of God--separation from the world,
and renunciation of those things which delude, and fascinate, and
ensnare. . . .
cccThe church cannot measure herself by the world nor
by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her
position in the world as they now are must be compared with what
they would have been if her course had been continually onward
and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the
Sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not
correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon
her, she will be found wanting. The light has been shining clear
and definite upon her pathway, and the light of 1882 calls her to
an account. If her talents are unimproved, if her fruit is not
perfect before God, if her light has become darkness, she is
indeed found wanting. The knowledge of our state as God views it,
seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear,
but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the
pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested
upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the
truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to
the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to
be governed.” — 5T 12-13, 83-84, written in 1882, and
part of the light of 1882.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“In all ages of the world the and its adherents
have been unpopular; and how can we expect it to be different
now, so near the close of time? It is impossible for a man to
become loyal to God, rendering obedience to all his commandments,
without finding himself immediately marked as odd from the rest
of the world [i.e., remember above; and see below], and cut off
from the society of those who transgress that law. If all would
be obedient to the law of God, he would not be obliged to give up
his former associates [i.e., when you give up your former
associates, who are impenitent and openly sinning, you separate
from such former associates]; but where one alone, or a very few
at most, take a position on the side of right, a separation
becomes necessary. There is a difference between the children of
light and the children of darkness. Their tastes and habits are
widely dissimilar. Though they may be thrown together, there is
no congeniality between them; for one has a love for Heavenly
things, and the other for those that are earthly. 'What concord
hath Christ with Belial?' What harmony is there between light and
darkness?” — ST January 13, 1885; or 1RH 497.
ccc
ccc“The children of the world are called the
children of darkness.” — 1T 279, written in 1862.
ccc
ccc“The message to the church of the Laodiceans
applies especially to the people of God today [i.e., to the
professed people of God today]. It is a message to professing
Christians who have become so much like the world that no
difference can be seen.” — 7BC 959:2:1; or RH August
20, 1903.
ccc
ccc“Satan will excite the indignation of apostate
Christendom against the humble remnant who conscientiously refuse
to accept false customs and traditions. Blinded by the prince of
darkness, popular religionists will see only as he sees, and feel
as he feels. They will determine as he determines, and oppress as
he has oppressed. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great
a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. The church and the
world [i.e., remember 'the world' and more above] will unite, and
the world will lend to the church power [i.e., heathen power] to
crush out the right of the people to worship God according to His
Word. . . . ccc
cccHistory repeats itself. . . .
cccPaul writes to the Romans, 'If it be possible, as
much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.' But there is
a point beyond which it is impossible to maintain union and
harmony without the sacrifice of principle. Separation then
becomes an absolute duty.'” — ST November 8, 1899; or
4ST 73, 74.
ccc
cccAnd there is so much more.................
ccc
cccThis series will be continued.
ccc
cccOur Father in Heaven, teach us, “save us,”
and “gather us” from the openly “heathen”
threat from within. Psalms 106:47. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
FORERUNNER, self-supporting ministries
Home church (since 1983)
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
Copyright 2003.
Permission is hereby given to reprint any
of these studies and articles provided that they are duplicated
in their entirety without any change or comment.