The heathen threat from within - #3.

Restoring

the first, second, fourth, and tenth commandments of God;

and God's true revival of primitive faith and godliness,

which Satan and his openly heathen subjects have made void

through heathenism and an openly heathen form of godliness.

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cccOur Father in Heaven, we pray that You help people to discern, to literally see, and to positively act on the openly heathen threat from within for the sake of their own salvation. Thus, we ask for Your power or Spirit to bless the restoration of all ten of Your commandments, which have been made void by the open idolatry of impenitent and openly heathen or Egyptian-like teachers in a professing Christian guise and in a professing Seventh-day Adventist guise. Therefore, this petition includes a present request for Your blessing upon this third study in this series on the “heathen threat from within,” as this third study restores the following: (1.) Your first, second, fourth, and tenth commandments; (2.) Your plan of salvation regarding the seal of the living God; and (3.) Your true revival of primitive faith and godliness - - which Satan and his lost, impenitent, openly heathen subjects have made void by their open heathenism; by their open idolatry and thus by their open Sabbath polluting and therefore by their open covetousness; by their gods or idols worship; by their vain worship; by their worship of created works; by their demon worship; by their worship of the beast and his image; and by their openly heathen form of godliness in a professing Christian disguise and in a professing Seventh-day Adventist disguise. Most of all, may Your will be done in all these matters. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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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.
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ccc“It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness [i.e., a true revival of primitive faith and godliness] among His professed people.” — GC 478, written in 1888.
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ccc“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry [i.e., flee from heathenism]. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.” — 1 Corinthians 10:14-15.
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ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .” — PP 336, written in 1890.
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ccc“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen . . . .” — Psalms 106:47.
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cccGod is saving and God is gathering. Since we prayerfully emailed studies #1 and #2 on the continuing series, “the heathen threat from within,” a few souls, who are living in the hope of being Judged by God to be true Seventh-day Adventists, have stepped forward from around the world to take a stand on the side of God against heathenism. We pray that God will strengthen them, protect them, and bless them. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. God is indeed watching. Thus, we ask again: Where are more Seventh-day Adventists, who will accept and explain why the following Heavenly-inspired counsel about heathen, worse than dead, fraudulent or not genuine, lukewarm Laodiceans “has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded” [EW 270] for more than 100 years or for more than three generations of professing Seventh-day Adventists; and where are more Seventh-day Adventists, who will accept and explain why the following Heavenly-inspired counsel is still predictably being “lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded?” EW 270.
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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. 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 to lukewarm Laodiceans.” — ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
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ccc“Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands . . . .” — Deuteronomy 4:27, 28.
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cccIn Deuteronomy 4:27, 28, which was just cited, the verb, “serve,” when translated from the Hebrew, and when used in conjunction with the rest of the Words from this text actually means:

(1.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall be a worshiper of gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(2.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall be enslaved to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(3.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall be kept in bondage to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(4.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall be a bondman to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(5.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall do bond-service to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(6.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall become a servant to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(7.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall do service to gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(8.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall dress gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(9.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall keep gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(10.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall be compelled or forced to keep gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(11.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall do labor for gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(12.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall bring to pass gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(13.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall make to serve gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(14.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall make to serve self for gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(15.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall cause others to serve gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(16.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall cause to serve self for gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(17.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall work for gods, the work of men's hands; and/or

(18.) Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands.

Thus, please remember, that among many more actions as listed above, to “serve” gods, the work of men's hands [Deuteronomy 4:27, 28], as lost, impenitent, and openly heathen Laodiceans do, is also to worship gods, the work of men's hands. Therefore, even though the lost, impenitent, great mass of openly heathen Laodiceans predictably will tell you that they do not worship gods, in point of inspired fact, they do worship gods, the work of men's hands. Furthermore, impenitent and openly heathen Laodiceans will also tell you that they worship the true and living God; but, God gives a warning, which is applicable to these lost, impenitent, and openly heathen ones in the next quote below.
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ccc“We [i.e., meaning: those faithful and true Seventh-day Adventists, who will be Judged by God to be such in the investigative Judgment of God, which is taking place right now in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary; and, thus, beware of the gods-liking, self-inflated, self-exalted, god-like, Judgment-Throne-of-God-assuming, and openly heathen, worse than dead, fraudulent or not genuine, lukewarm Laodiceans and their self-inflated, self-exalted, counterfeit Judgment] may go to the heathen and say to them that we love the truth and serve the true God; and they will tell you that they worship the true and living God.” — 1SAT 17; or MS 5, 1885.
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ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .” — PP 336, written in 1890.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” — Exodus 12:12.
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“The first commandment is a requirement in reference to man's worship.” — 2SAT 181; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“'Thou shalt have [i.e., become; be like; come to pass; cause to be made; use; require; follow; like; worship; and/or have] no other gods before Me,' is the first great command, and upon this command depends all the rest. This is the substance of all obedience. Let those who profess to be Christians remember that profession will not save them. The life which Christ alone can give is given upon condition of obedience, an obedience which takes in the whole man,--mind, heart, soul, and strength. This is true sanctification. 'This do, and thou shalt live,' is the only genuine definition of sanctification.
cccThose 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. 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 to lukewarm Laodiceans.” — ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
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ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .” — PP 336, written in 1890.
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ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.” — 1 Chronicles 16:26.
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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].” — Ezekiel 11:12; 20:16.
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ccc“The . . . gods [i.e., idols] . . . of the heathen.” — Zephaniah 2:11.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13.
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James 2:10.
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ccc“The first and second commandments spoken by Jehovah are precepts against idolatry [i.e., against heathenism and/or Laodiceanism].” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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ccc“It [i.e., God's second commandment] forbids the making of any image which man might try to liken to the Creator. It forbids the making of an image of any creature to represent God or to be associated in any way with the worship of God [i.e., with the true worship of God].
ccc''To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?' . . . .
ccc. . . . The Egyptians and other heathen nations had many strange gods--creatures of their own fanciful imagination. . . .
cccTo make an image of God dishonors Him. . . belittles God in the mind . . . associates Him with common things.” — 2SAT 181, 182, 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” — Exodus 12:12.
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ccc“The Egyptians and other heathen nations had many strange gods--creatures of their own fanciful imagination. . . .
ccc. . . . The Lord is a jealous God. He will not be trifled with. He has spoken concerning the manner in which He should be worshiped. He has a hatred of idolatry, for its influence is corrupting. It debases the mind, and leads to sensuality and all kinds of sin.
cccTo make an image of God dishonors Him. . . belittles God in the mind . . . associates Him with common things. ” — 2SAT 182, 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” — Exodus 12:12.
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James 2:10.
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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 Egyptianism; against gods or idols worship; against Sabbath polluting; against heathenism; and/or against Laodiceanism] . . . making to themselves images to represent God. . . .
cccGod would have His people understand that He alone should be the object of their worship; and when they should overcome the idolatrous nations around them, they should not preserve any of the images of their worship, but utterly destroy them. Many of these heathen deities were very costly, and of beautiful workmanship, which might tempt those who had witnessed idol worship [i.e., and/or those who had witnessed god worship], so common in Egypt, to regard these senseless objects with some degree of reverence. The Lord would have His people know that it was because of the idolatry of these nations [i.e., of these heathen nations], which had led them to every degree of wickedness . . .” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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cccTherefore, isn't it amazing how many professing servants of God are supposedly speaking against the effects of wickedness in the openly heathen or Egyptian-like church of the Laodiceans, but why will the great mass of them not speak against open idolatry, which is the very cause of every degree of wickedness?
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” — Exodus 12:12. ccc
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“The first commandment is a requirement in reference to man's worship.” — 2SAT 181; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“'Thou shalt have [i.e., become; be like; come to pass; cause to be made; use; require; follow; like; worship; and/or have] no other gods before Me,' is the first great command, and upon this command depends all the rest.” — ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
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ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . . .” — Jeremiah 43:13. ccc
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ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” — Exodus 12:12.
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“The first four commandments were given to show men their duty to God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” — Exodus 20:3.
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ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James 2:10.
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ccc“And God spake all these Words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage [i.e., out of the land of the heathen, out of the house of bondage; and, thus, today, out of the land of the heathen church of the Laodiceans, out of the house of bondage]. Thou shalt have [i.e., become; be like; come to pass; cause to be made; use; require; follow; like; worship; and/or have] no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of . . . I the Lord thy God . . . Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.” — Exodus 20:1-4, 5, 23.
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cccWhat does the Bible mean, when God commands: “Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold” [Exodus 20:23], as seen in the previous quote? For the answer, please see the next Heaven-sent counsel below.
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ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people against idolatry by commanding Moses to say unto them, 'Ye shall not make with Me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.' They were in danger of imitating the example of the Egyptians [i.e., of the heathen or open idolaters], and making to themselves images to represent God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him. . . belittles God in the mind . . . associates Him with common things.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“How my heart has been grieved as I have seen, in galleries of art, pictures representing Christ.” — 3MR 85; or MS 42, 1886.
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ccc“We need not any external representations of the person of Christ.” — 15MR 107; or MS 131, September 12, 1899.
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ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people against idolatry [i.e., against Egyptianism; against gods or idols worship; against Sabbath polluting; against heathenism; and/or against Laodiceanism] . . . making to themselves images to represent God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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ccc“ . . . idolatry . . . is . . . demon worship.” — PP 685:5, written in 1890.
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ccc“All idolatry is devil worship.” — Author Unknown; ST January 25, 1899.
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ccc“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep [i.e., watch; note; fulfill a command; detain in custody; maintain; withhold for personal ends; hold fast; serve; guard from loss or injury by keeping an eye on them; and/or keep] the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” — Revelation 14:9-12.
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ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .” — PP 336, written in 1890.
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ccc“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9.
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ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people against idolatry [i.e., against heathenism; against Egyptianism; against gods or idols worship; against vain worship; against demon worship; against the worship of the beast and his image; against Sabbath polluting; and/or against Laodiceanism] . . . making to themselves images to represent God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
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ccc“All idolatry is devil worship.” — Author Unknown; ST January 25, 1899.
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ccc“ . . . idolatry . . . is . . . demon worship.” — PP 685:5, written in 1890.
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ccc“Here the Lord gave expression to His abhorrence of idolatry. Those heathen nations [i.e., to include: the heathen or Egyptian-like, worse than dead, openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting, vain worshiping, gods or idols worshiping, demon worshiping, worshiping the beast and his image, lukewarm church of the Laodiceans] had turned from the worship of the living God, and were paying homage to demons. Shrines and temples, beautiful statues, and costly monuments, all the most ingenious and expensive works of art, had held the thoughts and affections of the veriest slavery to Satanic delusions [i.e., thus, also, please see a 'Satanic delusion' plainly revealed in the next quote].” — ST April 21, 1881; or 2BC 996:2:1.
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cccPlease notice that the time or date of the previous quote above and the next quote below are approximately one month apart.
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ccc“The human mind is naturally inclined to dwell upon the things which are seen and heard, and to neglect the things which are unseen. 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; gold; silver; bronze; brass; iron; paint; ink; charcoal; lead pencil; felt; or by some other visible, dead, common, earthly, 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.
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ccc“The second commandment forbids the worship [i.e., forbids the vain worship; forbids the gods or idols worship; forbids the demon worship; forbids the worship of the beast and his image] of the true God by images or similitudes. Many heathen nations [i.e., to include the heathen 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 gods or idols worship; such demon worship; such worship of the beast and his image] to be sin. The attempt to represent the Eternal One by material objects [i.e., by stone; wood; paper; gold; silver; bronze; brass; iron; paint; ink; charcoal; lead pencil; felt; or by some other visible, dead, common, earthly, 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.
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ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him. . . belittles God in the mind . . . associates Him with common things.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“How my heart has been grieved as I have seen, in galleries of art, pictures representing Christ.” — 3MR 85; or MS 42, 1886.
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ccc“We need not any external representations of the person of Christ.” — 15MR 107; or MS 131, September 12, 1899.
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ccc“God had given no manner of similitude of Himself, and He had prohibited any material representation for such a purpose.” — PP 316, written in 1890.
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cccTherefore, please, notice what the Bible and the prophet Moses said about such similitudes, in the book of Deuteronomy, as follows:
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ccc“And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the Voice of the Words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a Voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. And the Lord commanded me [i.e., Moses] at that time to teach you statutes and Judgments, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves [i.e., also, keep this word, 'corrupt,' in mind, as you will see this type of corruption discussed again in this series of studies on the heathen threat from within], and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, the likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth . . . Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which He made with you, and make you a graven image [i.e., a forbidden, so-called true statute of God], or the likeness [i.e., a forbidden, so-called true picture of God] of any thing, which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee. . . 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 4:12-18, 23, 27, 28.
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cccThou shalt not covet . . . .” — Exodus 20:17.
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ccc“'Thou shalt not covet' . . . .
cccThe tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act. He who in obedience to God's law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire . . . will not be guilty of an act of wrong . . . .
cccThe people desired [i.e., thus, the people openly coveted, or selfishly desired, or sinfully desired] some image to represent God . . . God had given no manner of similitude of Himself, and He had prohibited any material representation for such a purpose.” — PP 309, 316, written in 1890.
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ccc“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9.
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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.
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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.
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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 people [i.e., of His true people, who will be Judged to be such in God's on-going investigative Judgment in the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary, not in the self-inflated, self-exalted, heathen, god-like, Judgment-Throne-of-God-assuming, counterfeit Judgment of any boastful body of mortal men or women]? 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 sealing angel] is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who are separated from sin and sinners [i.e., is to place a mark upon the foreheads of 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.
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ccc“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1 John 3:4.
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ccc“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. For without are . . . idolaters [i.e., the impenitent heathen] . . . .” — Revelation 22:14-15.
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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 God dishonoring, openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting and openly covetous, vain worshiping, forbidden, so-called true images or pictures of God].” — Ezekiel 11:12; 20:16.
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ccc“Only those who receive the seal of the living God will have the passport through the gates of the Holy City. . . .
cccThose who would have the seal of God in their foreheads must keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. . . .
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 and halfhearted, they dishonor God [i.e, see this 'dishonor' discussed more below] far more than the avowed unbeliever. They grope in darkness [i.e, thus, also see this 'darkness' of heathenism discussed more to the end of this study] . . . .” — 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.
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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, corrupting, 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.
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ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him. . . belittles God in the mind . . . associates Him with common things.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“Thou shalt not make . . . .” — Exodus 20:4.
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ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13-15.
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ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“Satan's object [i.e., the enemy's 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 . . . dishonor God far more than the avowed unbeliever. They grope in darkness . . . .” — 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“It is true there is an indignation that is justifiable, even in the followers of Christ. When they see that God is dishonored, and His service brought into disrepute, when they see the innocent oppressed, a righteous indignation stirs the soul. Such anger, born of sensitive morals, is not a sin. [NOTE: Here we see the God of Christianity inform us that righteous indignation is justifiable, and righteous indignation stirs the souls of the followers of Christ: (a.) when they see God is dishonored, (b.) when they see His service brought into disrepute, and (c.) when they see the innocent oppressed. This righteous indignation is not sin. Thus, beware of those who are deceptive followers of the god of heathenism, instead of being followers of the God of Christianity; or, therefore, beware of impenitent, openly heathen, God dishonoring, Satan aiding or lukewarm Laodiceans, who bear false witness or a lie claiming that such righteous indignation is bitterness. Like their god, the antichrist, they predictably promote things in a backwards manner. We will discuss the more broad context of the false witness or lie of impenitent, openly heathen, father of lies aiding or lukewarm Laodiceans in future studies in this series on the heathen threat from within. For now, it is enough to note that these openly heathen ones call righteous indignation the sin of bitterness, and they self-deceptively claim that their own sin of bitterness against those who are seeking to restore the commandments of God is righteous indignation. What supreme nonsense! Beware, impenitent and openly heathen Laodiceans always attempt to pass off their heathenism, their mixture of truth and error, their most absurd ideas, and/or their supreme nonsense as if it were the religion of Christ. Thus, as God has warned lost, impenitent, openly heathen Laodiceans dishonor God far more than avowed unbelievers. End of NOTE.] But those who at any supposed provocation feel at liberty to indulge anger or resentment are opening the heart to Satan. Bitterness and animosity must be banished from the soul if we would be in harmony with Heaven.” — DA 310, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
cccc“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“Solemnly and publicly the people of Judah had pledged themselves to obey the law of God. But when the influence of Ezra and Nehemiah was for a time withdrawn, there were many who departed from the Lord. Nehemiah had returned to Persia. During his absence from Jerusalem, evils crept in that threatened to pervert the nation. Idolaters [i.e., the heathen] not only gained a foothold in the city, but contaminated by their presence the very precincts of the temple. . . .
cccAnother result of intercourse with idolaters was a disregard of the Sabbath . . .
cccAnd now Nehemiah turned his attention to the danger that again threatened Israel from intermarriage and association with idolaters [i.e., with the heathen]. . .
ccc. . . . . Whoever among the priests or rulers refused to sever his connection with idolaters [i.e., with the heathen] was immediately separated from the service of the Lord. A grandson of the high priest, having married a daughter of the notorious Sanballat, was not only removed from office, but promptly banished from Israel. . . .
cccHow much anguish of soul this needed severity cost the faithful worker for God the Judgment alone will reveal. There was a constant struggle with opposing elements, and only by fasting, humiliation, and prayer was advancement made. . .
cccIn the work of reform to be carried forward today, there is need of men who, like Ezra and Nehemiah, will not palliate or excuse sin, nor shrink from vindicating the honor of God. Those upon whom rests the burden of this work will not hold their peace when wrong is done, neither will they cover evil with a cloak of false charity [i.e., with a cloak of false love or heathen love].” — PK 669, 671, 674, 675, written in 1915.
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
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“Thou shalt not make . . . .” — Exodus 20:4.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13-15.
ccc
ccc“'Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.' Ex. 23:2.
cccTo be singular for singularity's sake is positively detestable, below the dignity of a Christian, but to be singular because it is necessary to be so as the result of worshipping God and Him only, places Heaven's dignity upon man. We must not be afraid of being singular when duty requires us to be thus to exalt and honor God. . . .
cccDo not court singularity for the sake of being odd, but for the sake of avoiding sin and dishonor to God. And in this case we are not to mind even the multitude who are against us. 'Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.'” — UL 315; or Letter 108, October 28, 1886.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Do not yield a ready assent to the suggestions of those who dishonor God, but rather seek to reform, reclaim, and rescue souls from evil.” — RH April 3, 1913; or 6RH 322.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.” — 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
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ccc“The spirit of true reform will be met in our day as in ancient times. Those who are zealous for the honor of God, and who will not countenance sin either in ministers or people, need not expect rest or pleasure in this life. Untiring vigilance must be the watchword of all who guard the interests of Christ's church.” — ST January 24, 1884; or 1ST 408.
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“The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism.” — DA 59, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“God's work in the earth in these last days [i.e., thus, also, please see the concept of these 'last days' and more discussed in the next three quotes] 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 apostle says that 'in the last days perilous times shall come.' 2 Timothy 3:1. And he gives a startling list of sins [i.e., of open sins] that will be found among those who have a form of godliness [i.e., thus, also, please see those that have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more discussed in the next six quotes below].” — PP 103, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness [i.e., thus, also, please see those that have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more discussed in the next five quotes below], but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” — 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
ccc
ccc“As the people of God approach the perils of the last days, Satan [i.e., the god of ancient and modern heathenism] 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, remember, as we have seen in this study and in the previous study in this series, seventh-day Sabbath polluting with idols, and/or with gods, and/or with so-called true image or pictures of God is a Sabbath of Satan's creating, as is first-day Sunday keeping yet another Sabbath of Satan's creating].' . . .
ccc'Through those that have a form of godliness [i.e., thus, also, please see those that have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more discussed in the next four quotes below] but know not the power, we can gain many who would otherwise do us great harm. Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God will be our most effective helpers. Those of this class who are apt and intelligent will serve as decoys to draw others into our snares. Many will not fear their influence, because they profess the same faith.” — 4SP 337, 338, written in 1884.
ccc
ccc“But of how much value is salt that has lost its savor? When those who claim to be Christians, do not in their words and actions reveal the attributes of Christ, they are represented as salt that has lost its savor. Whatever may be their profession, they are looked upon by men and angels as insipid and disagreeable. Of such Christ says: 'I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm [i.e., please see the term, lukewarm, defined below], and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.' They have a form of godliness [i.e., thus, also, please see those that have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more discussed in the next three quotes below], a profession of religion; but it is contradicted by their lives.” — ST November 7, 1895; or 3ST 251 .
ccc
ccc“ . . . . aiding the enemy [i.e., aiding Satan, who is the secretly disguised deity of all heathen forms of godliness] . . . The term 'lukewarm' is applicable to this class.” — 4T 87, written in 1876.
ccc
cccSince the second quote above and the next quote below are only one month apart, what was God warning us about between November and December of 1895? Between November and December of 1895, was God warning that the class that have a form of godliness are not mere heathen, but they are also lukewarm or merely professing Christians and merely professing Seventh-day Adventists? Please compare the November 7, 1895 date and contents of the second quote above to the December 5, 1895 date and contents of the next quote below.
ccc
ccc“'This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness [i.e., thus, also, please see those that have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more in the next quote below], but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.' [2 Timothy 3:1-5.].
cccThe class here mentioned by the apostle are not mere heathen.” — ST December 5, 1895; or 3ST 257.
ccc
cccThen, in August 2, 1899, the Lord's messenger said it all in just one place, as follows:
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ccc“Christ presented the requirements of God's law with great force and clearness, but many of His hearers turned away, careless and indifferent. And to-day God's ministers preach the Word with power sent down from Heaven, but on the minds of many no permanent impression is made. The messages given by God are not received and practised. It is not thought necessary to bring the controlling power of God into the daily and hourly transactions of life. God is not known by an experimental knowledge, and therefore He can not encircle them with the realities of the unseen world. The eternal reward of the righteous does not impress their minds. The great day of the Lord, which is right upon us, awakens neither alarm nor rejoicing in their hearts. They have a form of godliness [i.e., thus, please remember the lukewarm, who have this openly 'heathen' 'form of godliness' and more, as discussed in the previous six quotes above], but not the power of the truth. Wrapped in self, nothing can help them till they realize their true condition.
cccThose 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 [i.e., aiding the enemy or aiding Satan, who is a heathen and fallen angel, Beelzebub, Baal, Belial, the beast power, the dragon, the prince of darkness, the prince of devils, the arch deceiver and tempter, the master of deception, the demon-god, the god of this world, the father of lies, the false father god, the counterfeit latter rain or heathen power or unholy spirit deity, and the false christ god of ancient and modern heathenism], 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 [i.e., see below] 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 true Holy Spirit; no true Latter Rain] to lukewarm Laodiceans.” — ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
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ccc“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” — Proverbs 21:16.
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cccTherefore, as we have seen in this short study, God's neglected, if not predictably disregarded, but Heaven-sent and much needed Laodicean message commands those who are living in the hope of being Judged by God to be His true people to turn away and to separate from the highly visible, God dishonoring, tragically lost, foolishly impenitent [i.e., and we stress the word, impenitent], Conference, and supposedly non-Conference ranks of the openly heathen or Egyptian-like, worse than dead, openly idolatrous and thus openly Sabbath polluting and openly covetous, vain worshiping, gods or idols worshiping, created works worshiping, demon worshiping, worshiping the beast and his image, Satan aiding or lukewarm church of the Laodiceans and from their highly visible, plainly seen, openly heathen form of godliness. Although they are dressed in the sheep's clothing of being professedly Christian and dressed in the sheep's clothing of being professedly Seventh-day Adventist, their openly heathen or Laodicean worship services, their openly heathen or Laodicean magazines, their openly heathen or Laodicean web sites, and the like are highly visible due to their open idolatry. As predicted and forewarned by God, they are allowing nothing to stand in the way of their openly heathen movement or they are allowing nothing to stand in the way of their openly satanic, mammothly deceptive [i.e., but highly visible], self-inflated, self-exalted, on-going, latter times, counterfeit revival of ancient and modern heathenism.
ccc
cccThere is so much more from God's Word on this openly heathen threat from within for these last days. People ignore, disregard, or reject God's warning about the heathen at the loss of their eternal life.
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cccThus, by the grace of God, this series will be continued, until all ten of God's commandments are restored, since these commandments have been made void by the open idolatry of the impenitent and openly heathen threat from within.
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cccTherefore, by the grace of God, this series will be continued, until God's true “revival” [see GC 464-465, 478] of faith and godliness is thus plainly set forth in clear distinction against Satan's on-going, “latter times,” “counterfeit” “revival” [see PP 684-686; GC 464-465, 556-558] of “heathenism,” and/or “modern spiritualism,” and more. Why? Because God has plainly forewarned that Satan's on-going, “latter times,” “counterfeit” “revival” [see PP 684-686; GC 464-465, 556-558] of “heathenism” and/or “modern spiritualism” is an “event to take place immediately before the second advent of Christ.” See PP 686.
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cccOur Father, in Heaven, most especially do we pray for the professing true church, because its members have gone after the manner of the world and are openly heathen. Forgive us for our transgression against the divine commandments of Heaven, as is being set forth from Your Word in this series. Lord, we are grateful for the gift of forgiveness, for the privilege of prayer, and for the Holy Spirit's editing of our prayers. Please continue to teach us, to “save us,” and to “gather us” from the openly “heathen” threat from within. Psalms 106:47. May Your will be done. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Michael O. Hodges
FORERUNNER, self-supporting ministries
Home church (since 1983)

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Copyright 2003.

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