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.
c
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.
ccc
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
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from
among the heathen . . . .” — Psalms 106:47.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods,
the work of men's hands . . . .” — Deuteronomy 4:27,
28.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
cccv
ccc“The first commandment is a requirement in
reference to man's worship.” — 2SAT 181; or MR #360,
1901.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:26.
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].” — Ezekiel
11:12; 20:16.
ccc
ccc“The . . . gods [i.e., idols] . . . of the
heathen.” — Zephaniah 2:11.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
ccc
ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James
2:10.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13.
cc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
ccc
ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James
2:10.
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 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.
ccc
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?
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12. ccc
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
ccc
ccc“The first commandment is a requirement in
reference to man's worship.” — 2SAT 181; or MR #360,
1901.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the Egyptians . . .
.” — Jeremiah 43:13. ccc
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
ccc
ccc“The first four commandments were given to show
men their duty to God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
ccc
ccc“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”
— Exodus 20:3.
ccc
ccc“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” — James
2:10.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
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“We need not any external representations of
the person of Christ.” — 15MR 107; or MS 131, September
12, 1899.
ccc
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.
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“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.
ccc
ccc“ . . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“All idolatry is devil worship.” —
Author Unknown; ST January 25, 1899.
ccc
ccc“ . . . idolatry . . . is . . . demon
worship.” — PP 685:5, written in 1890.
ccc
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.
ccc
cccPlease notice that the time or date of the previous
quote above and the next quote below are approximately one month
apart.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
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“We need not any external representations of
the person of Christ.” — 15MR 107; or MS 131, September
12, 1899.
ccc
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.
ccc
cccTherefore, please, notice what the Bible and the
prophet Moses said about such similitudes, in the book of
Deuteronomy, as follows:
ccc
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.
ccc
cccThou shalt not covet . . . .” — Exodus
20:17.
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men.” — Matthew 15:9.
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“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“'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.
ccc
ccc“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also
the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” — 1
John 3:4.
ccc
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.
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 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.
ccc
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.
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, 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.
ccc
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.
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“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, 1901.
ccc
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.
ccc
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:
ccc
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.
ccc
ccc“The man that wandereth out of the way of
understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.”
— Proverbs 21:16.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
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.
ccc
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)
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.