cccSo far, in this continuing series, on the heathen
threat from within, or on today's Conference and many of the
supposedly non-Conference ranks of the openly heathen, worse than
dead, Satan aiding or lukewarm church of the Laodiceans, we have
seen how open heathenism or open idolatry results in the open
transgression of God's first, second, fourth, and tenth
commandments, which we have then seen God's Word restore.
ccc
cccPrimarily, in this study #4a, we will focus on the
topic specified in the title above and on the three topics
specified and listed in the sub-title also above.
ccc
cccGod our Father in Heaven, we pray that You help
people to discern, to literally see, and to positively act on the
openly heathen or the openly Egyptian-like threat from within.
Help people to literally see how the impenitent, openly
idolatrous, and openly heathen threat from within falsely profess
to believe in the Bible and in the inspired writings of Ellen G.
white; and, at the same time, they also seek to throw away or
“to make of none effect” [1SM 48] those inspired
writings that interfere with their open idolatry or heathenism.
Therefore, help people to see that the truth on a subject is
equal to the sum of all of it's parts, or the truth on a subject
is equal to all of the inspired writings put together - - leaving
nothing out - - throwing nothing away. Most of all, may Your will
be done in all these matters. We praise God the Holy Spirit, as
the “third person of the Godhead” [EV 617], as the
third “person” [Ev 616] of the “three living
persons of the Heavenly trio” [Ev 615], and as the third
“person” [Ev 616] of the “three highest powers in
Heaven.” Ev 617. Thus, we are grateful and thankful, as we
claim the promise that the Holy Spirit will “indite”
[RH February 9, 1897] this prayer and therefore intercede to make
this prayer rise up acceptable and perfect before Your
everlasting Throne. In the forever holy and forever sacred name
of Jesus, our infinite, omnipresent, omnipotent, immutable or
unchangeable, and pre-existent Lord God and Saviour, we pray.
Amen.
ccc
ccc“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from
idolatry [i.e, flee from open 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“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“The light of God is ever shining amid the
darkness of heathenism.” — DA 59, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“We are all Judgment bound. . . .
cccThe church cannot measure herself by the world nor
by the opinion of men nor by what she once was. Her faith and her
position in the world as they now are must be compared with what
they would have been if her course had been continually onward
and upward. The church will be weighed in the balances of the
Sanctuary. If her moral character and spiritual state do not
correspond with the benefits and blessings God has conferred upon
her, she will be found wanting. The light has been shining clear
and definite upon her pathway, and the light of 1882 calls her to
an account. If her talents are unimproved, if her fruit is not
perfect before God, if her light has become darkness [i.e.,
heathen darkness], she is indeed found wanting. The knowledge of
our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see,
but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as
unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of
fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God,
and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are
directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by
which we profess to be governed. . . .
cccThe church [i.e., the Laodicean church] has turned
back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating
toward Egypt [i.e, is steadily retreating toward open heathenism
and/or toward open idolatry and thus much more].” — 5T
14, 83-84, 217, written in 1882, and thus part of the great light
of 1882.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
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 [i.e., they are
Egyptian-like and/or openly idolatrous and much more]. 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“. . . the gods of Egypt . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:26.
ccc
ccc“The . . . gods [i.e., idols] . . . . of the
heathen.” — Zephaniah 2:11.
ccc
ccc“They [i.e., the impenitent, openly heathen]
drank wine, and praised the gods [i.e., the idols] of gold, and
of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.” —
Daniel 5:4.
ccc
ccc“The principle that man can save himself by his
own works [i.e., thus, please see this 'work' described in the
next four Heaven-sent quotations] lay at the foundation of every
heathen religion . . . .” — DA 35, written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now
their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever
He hath pleased. Their idols [i.e., their gods] are silver and
gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak
not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they
hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands,
but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither
speak they through their throat [i.e., thus, they are not alive;
they are dead]. They that make them are like unto them; so is
every one that trusteth in them.” — Psalms 115:2-8.
ccc
ccc“Among the heathen . . . ye shall serve gods
[i.e., serve idols], the work of men's hands, wood and stone,
which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” —
Deuteronomy 4:27, 28.
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
silver; gold; stone; wood; paper; marble; brass; bronze; iron;
paint; ink; lead pencil; felt; or by some other visible, dead,
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 idols [i.e., the gods] of the heathen are
silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but
they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; they have ears,
but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths
[i.e., thus, they are not alive; they are dead]. They that make
them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in
them.”— Psalms 135:15-18.
ccc
ccc“Like attracts like. Like appreciates
like.” — 5T 705, written in 1889.
ccc
ccc“But there is no union between the Prince of
light and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union
between their followers. When Christians consented to unite with
those who were but half converted from paganism [i.e., and/or
when Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
converted from heathenism and/or from the openly pagan or
heathen, worse than dead, lukewarm church of the Laodiceans],
they entered upon a path which led farther and farther from the
truth.” — 4SP 45, written in 1884.
ccc
ccc“The light of God in nature is shining
continually into the darkness of heathenism, but many who see
this light do not glorify the Lord as God. They do not permit
reason to lead them to acknowledge their Creator. They refuse the
Lord, and set up senseless idols [i.e., senseless gods] to adore.
They make images which represent God . . . .” — ST
August 12, 1889; or 2ST 311.
ccc
ccc“'Leave the service of senseless idols' . . .
.” — ST November 18, 1880; or 1ST 198.
ccc
ccc“How my heart has been grieved as I have seen,
in galleries of art, pictures representing Christ.” —
3MR 85; or MS 42, 1886.
ccc
ccc“Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God,
we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or
silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.” —
Acts 17:29.
ccc
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:26.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“The first and second commandments spoken by
Jehovah are precepts against idolatry [i.e., against paganism;
against heathenism; against Egyptianism; and/or against
Laodiceanism]. This sin if practiced, would lead men to great
lengths in rebellion . . . .
cccAgain 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 and/or of 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.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, December 10, 1901.
ccc
ccc“The . . . heathen . . . dishonor Him . . .
.” — 5T 196:2, written in 1882.
ccc
ccc“Satan's object [i.e., the enemy's object] is
to dishonor God . . . .” — 5T 295, written in 1885.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, December 10, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Satan gives his power [i.e., his heathen
power] to those who are aiding him in his deceptions . . .
.” — 6BC 1106:1:2; or RH August 25, 1885.
ccc
ccc“. . . . aiding the enemy [i.e., aiding Satan,
the disguised god of ancient and modern heathenism] . . . The
term 'lukewarm' is applicable to this class.” — 4T 87,
written in 1876.
ccc
ccc“Satan's object [i.e., the enemy's object] is
to dishonor God . . . .” — 5T 295, written in 1885.
ccc
ccc“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, December 10, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people
against idolatry . . . making to themselves images to represent
God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
cccv
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“To make an image of God dishonors Him.”
— 2SAT 184; or MR #360, December 10, 1901.
ccc
ccc“Again the Lord seeks to guard His people
against idolatry [i.e., against paganism; against disguised demon
worship; against Egyptianism; against heathenism; and/or against
Laodiceanism] . . . making to themselves images to represent
God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of Egypt . . . .” —
Exodus 12:12.
ccc
ccc“All the gods of the people are idols.”
— 1 Chronicles 16:26.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
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 184; or MR #360,
1901.
ccc
cccThus, in consideration of the previous Heaven-sent
quotations, we see that when people “have” other
“gods,” and/or that when people “have”
“idols,” and/or that when people make to themselves
“pictures” and “images to represent God,”
they are already involved in the “worship” of these
forbidden and God dishonoring things, they are already thus in
open “idolatry” or open heathenism, and they are
already therefore in Satan's “heathen,” gods liking,
pagan, Egyptian-like, openly idolatrous, God dishonoring,
rebellious, dangerous, disguised, “demon worship.”
Therefore, contrary to what perishing, impenitent, openly
idolatrous, openly “heathen” or Egyptian-like,
“worse than dead,” rebellious, demon worshiping, Satan
aiding or “lukewarm Laodiceans” predictably say, to
“have” “gods,” and/or to “have”
“idols,” and/or to “have” forbidden
“pictures” and “images” made to supposedly
“represent God,” is already to “worship”
them, and is thus expressly prohibited by God's first and second
commandments.
ccc“The first and second commandments spoken by
Jehovah are precepts against idolatry [i.e., against paganism;
against disguised demon worship; against Egyptianism; against
heathenism; and/or against Laodiceanism]. This sin if practiced,
would lead men to great lengths in rebellion . . . God would
guard against the least approach to such abominations. . .
cccAgain the Lord seeks to guard His people against
idolatry . . . making to themselves images to represent
God.” — ST May 6, 1880; or 1ST 154.
ccc
ccc“. . . . they . . . mingled with the truth . .
. the falsehood of idolatry. . . the worship at . . . heathen
altars. . . the claims of God and His commandments had been lost
sight of.” — 1BC 1108:1:1; or MS 58, 1900.
ccc
ccc“On the lips . . . most precious truth was
turned into a lie [i.e., into a falsehood; into something
fraudulent, or not genuine, or untrue; into a false witness;
and/or into a transgression of God's ninth commandment]. The
policy. . . was based on a principle borrowed from heathenism
[i.e., and/or borrowed from the falsehood of open idolatry;
and/or borrowed from Satan's heathen, gods liking, Egyptian-like,
God dishonoring, dangerous, disguised, demon worship; and/or
borrowed from the Conference and supposedly non-Conference ranks
of the openly heathen, worse than dead, openly idolatrous and
thus openly false witnessing, rebellious, Satan aiding or
lukewarm church of the Laodiceans].” — DA 540, written
in 1898.
ccc
ccc“And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury
upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.” — Micah
5:15.
ccc
ccc“And ye shall perish among the heathen . . .
.” — Leviticus 26:38.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the gods of the heathen . . . .”
— PP 336, written in 1890.
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 184; 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
[i.e., false witnessing] bank-notes. They are not genuine. They
claim the name of Christian, but in reality they are heathen
[i.e., they are demon worshiping, Egyptian-like, worse than dead,
openly idolatrous and thus openly false witnessing, rebellious,
perishing, Satan aiding or lukewarm Laodiceans]. 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 the
heathen, dangerous, 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 goddess; and the false christ god--all 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 power; by His true
Latter Rain]. But He can not present them to the Father; for they
are worse than dead in trespasses and sins. They hear the Word,
but make no application of it to themselves. Instead, they apply
the Word to their neighbors. God can be no power [i.e., no Holy
Spirit; no true Latter Rain] to lukewarm Laodiceans.” —
ST August 2, 1899; or 4ST 50.
ccc
cccPlease, note the previous Heaven-sent quotation,
just above, which plainly sounds the warning about openly visible
or openly heathen, worse than dead, heathen gods having or false
gods worshiping, openly idolatrous, openly false witnessing or
fraudulent or not genuine, lukewarm Laodiceans. Also, especially
note that the previous Heaven-sent quotation, just above, is
dated August 2, 1899.
cccThen, please note the significance of the date and
contents of the next inspired quotation, just one month later,
which was thus sent by Heaven's supreme and divine authority on
September 8, 1899, as follows:
ccc
ccc“A warning has been given me in regard to our
people. I have been instructed that they are certainly in danger.
cccGod declares, '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 [i.e., not bring forth; not fashion; not furnish; not
gather; not get; not maintain; not observe; not be occupied with;
not bring to pass; not procure; not provide; not put; not use;
not cause to be made; not deal with; not worship; and/or not
make] unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing
that is in the Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or
that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down
thyself to them [i.e., not crouch thyself to them; not make to
stoop thyself to them; not do reverence to them; not worship
them; and/or not bow down thyself to them], nor serve them [i.e.,
nor be enslaved to them; nor enslave others to them; nor be kept
in bondage to them; nor keep others in bondage to them; nor be a
bondman to them; nor do bond-service to them; nor become a
servant to them; nor do service to them; nor dress them; nor keep
them; nor be compelled or forced to keep them; nor compel or
force others to keep them; nor do labor for them; nor bring them
to pass; nor work for them; nor make to serve them; nor make to
serve self for them; nor cause others to serve them; nor cause to
serve self for them; nor be a worshiper of them; and/or nor serve
them]: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and
fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto
thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments' (Ex.
20:3-6).
cccShould we not make investigation in regard to the
matter of illustrating our books so largely? Would not the mind
have clearer, more perfect ideas of angels, of Christ, of all
spiritual things, if no pictures were made to represent Heavenly
things? . . . .
cccSome things have been presented to me which I must
set right. In my own home, one after another, pictures have
accumulated [i.e., pictures of angels, of Christ, and of Heavenly
things have accumulated]. I see the same in every home to which I
go. Is the Lord in this matter? Does not the charge in the
twentieth chapter of Exodus prohibit this multitudinous
picture-making which will continue to increase unless there is a
decided reform, unless the people of God shall see that there is
a decided reform . . . .” — 15MR 114, 115; or Letter
145, September 8, 1899.
ccc
ccc“The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end
with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's
history.” — GC 148, written in 1888.
ccc
ccc“History is repeating.” — DA 258,
written in 1898.
ccc
ccc“That which hath been is now; and that which is
to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is
past.” — Ecclesiastes 3:15.
ccc
ccc“History repeats itself.” — ST
November 8, 1899; or 4ST 74.
ccc
ccc“History is repeating.” — ST May 9,
1906; or 4ST 420.
ccc
ccc“The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end
with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's
history.” — GC 148, written in 1888.
ccc
ccc“The city of Bale was an important place to the
Protestant reformers. The great snow-clad hills of Switzerland
were among the first to catch the light of morning, and to
announce the rise of reformation. And Bale was one of those
points on which the rising day concentrated its rays, and whence
they radiated over the country around. Early in the sixteenth
century a small council of a municipal character sat at Bale. A
civil war was feared; the people passed the night before in arms.
In vain did the city authorities try to reconcile papists and
reformers by half measures. The reformers denounced the mass, the
papists demanded its continuance. Twelve hundred people who
sympathized with Lutheranism insisted that there should be no
more delay. They met one evening by torch-light, and said to the
faltering Senate, 'What you have not been able to do in three
years, we will do in a single hour.' Then they began their work
of breaking down images . . . Thus . . . the Reformation opened
in Switzerland . . . .” — RH October 13, 1885; or 1RH
553.
ccc
ccc“. . . . the falsehood of idolatry.”
— 1BC 1108:1:1; or MS 58, 1900.
ccc
ccc“The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end
with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world's
history.” — GC 148, written in 1888.
ccc
ccc“There have ever been two classes among those
who profess to be followers of Christ. While one class study the
Saviour's life, and earnestly seek to correct their defects and
to conform to the Pattern, the other class shun the plain,
practical truths which expose their errors. . . .
cccBut there is no union between the Prince of light
and the prince of darkness, and there can be no union between
their followers. When Christians consented to unite with those
who were but half converted from paganism [i.e., and/or when
Christians consented to unite with those who were but half
converted from heathenism, or from Egyptianism, or from
Laodiceanism; and/or when Christians consented to unite with
those who were but half converted from the Conference and
supposedly non-Conference ranks of the openly pagan or openly
Egyptian-like or openly heathen, worse than dead, openly heathen
gods having or openly false gods worshiping, openly idolatrous,
openly false witnessing or openly fraudulent or openly not
genuine, openly rebellious, openly perishing, openly demon
worshiping, openly Satan aiding or lukewarm church of the
Laodiceans], they entered upon a path which led farther and
farther from the truth. . . .
cccAfter a long and severe conflict, the faithful few
decided to dissolve all union with the apostate church if she
still refused to free herself from falsehood and idolatry. They
saw that separation was an absolute necessity if they would obey
the Word of God. They dared not tolerate errors fatal to their
own souls, and set an example which would imperil the faith of
their children and children's children. To secure peace and unity
they were ready to make any concession consistent with fidelity
to God; but they felt that even peace would be too dearly
purchased at the sacrifice of principle. If unity could be
secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then
let there be difference, and even war.
cccWell would it be for the church and the world if the
principles that actuated those steadfast souls were revived in
the hearts of God's professed people.” — 4SP 44, 45,
46, written in 1884.
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“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
cccTherefore, it is plain in this study that the Lord's
messenger called for reform in regard to God's first, second, and
ninth commandments against heathenism, but that reform has
predictably not been embraced by the Conference and many of the
supposedly non-Conference ranks of the openly heathen church of
the Laodiceans.
cccBy 1876, God had already warned us that the term,
lukewarm, means aiding the enemy or aiding Satan, who is the
secretly disguised, eternally deadly, false god of ancient and
modern heathenism.
cccOn August 2, 1899, the Lord gave the warning that
lukewarm Laodiceans are heathen, worse than dead, and fraudulent
or not genuine. Therefore, Christians will know that heathen,
worse than dead, and fraudulent or not genuine, Satan aiding or
lukewarm Laodiceans can be readily discerned in that they openly
transgress God's first and second commandments and more.
cccThen, just one month after August 2, 1899, on
September 8, 1899, another divine warning came from the Lord. On
September 8, 1899, after the Lord’s messenger stated that
the professing Seventh-day Adventist people were in danger, and
after then quoting God’s first and second commandments
against idolatry or against heathenism, inspired counsel
indicated that our minds would have clearer, more perfect ideas
of angels, of Christ, of all spiritual things, if no pictures
were made to represent Heavenly things. The Lord’s messenger
went on to indicate that some matters had to be set right in her
own home, because one after another, forbidden pictures had
accumulated; and, again, the subject under discussion was
pictures of angels, of Christ, and of Heavenly things. Even in
1899, the Lord’s messenger said she saw the same in every
home to which she went. The Lord’s messenger indicated that
the Lord was not in this matter. Inspired counsel or the Word
then went on to indicate that the charge in the twentieth chapter
of Exodus, or God’s first and second commandments,
prohibited this multitudinous picture making, which would
continue to increase unless there is a decided reform, unless the
people of God shall see that there is a decided reform.
cccWhat does this have to say about the counterfeit
reform movement and its proliferation of so-called pictures of
angels today? What does this have to say about the counterfeit
reform movement and its proliferation of forbidden pictures of
the so-called three angel's logo today? What does this have to
say about the counterfeit reform movement and its increasing use
of so-called pictures of Christ and so-called pictures of other
Heavenly things today? Among other things, it says that God's
warning is true and that this type of openly idolatrous,
dangerous, and forbidden picture-making would increase, unless
there is a decided reform. Also, it says that the lost,
perishing, impenitent, openly idolatrous and thus openly false
witnessing, Conference and many of the so-called non-Conference
ranks of the openly heathen church of the Laodiceans pick and
choose what they want from the Word of God and they foolishly
reject the rest. Particularly, they foolishly reject God's
counsel against their own open heathenism or openly idolatrous
practices. It says that openly heathen Laodiceans do just exactly
what the openly heathen have always historically done. They
choose an other god; they engage in the “falsehood of open
idolatry” [1BC 1108] “making to themselves images to
represent God” [ST May 6, 1880], which are expressly
forbidden by God's first and second commandments; and, thus,
while predictably making heathen or self-exalted “boasts of
superior goodness” [FW 51-52], they are in reality
perishing, because they refuse to serve the true and invisible
God of Heaven.
cccTherefore, since people were and still are in this
state of danger, God called for true reform and God is still
calling for true reform. A true reform, which the lost,
impenitent, great mass of openly heathen, perishing, Satan aiding
or lukewarm Laodiceans predictably have not sought; but,
predictably, they will seek to make of none effect all true
reform, while they continue to promote their counterfeit
so-called reform, which cloaks over and excuses open heathenism
or open idolatry. Indeed, people certainly are in danger. One can
see how much danger, if they read the Word of God and accept it,
rather than rejecting it. For example, in reading ST February 19,
1880, or 1ST 133 right on through ST June 9, 1881, or 1ST 233,
one can see how the persistent refusal to repent of open idolatry
or open heathenism eventually resulted in thousands and thousands
of people having to be put to death at the command of the
merciful and long-suffering Lord Himself.
cccMany, many more examples could be cited from God's
Word regarding Satan's use of open idolatry to deceive people, to
cause them to foolishly ignore God's warnings, and to cause them
to suicidally make light of God's rightful demonstrations against
all such open heathenism. The aforementioned danger, becomes
eternally deadly, if we refuse to “repent” that our
“sins may be blotted out” by our merciful and loving
God. Acts 3:19.
ccc
ccc“The law of ten commandments is not to be
looked upon as much from the prohibitory side, as from the mercy
side. Its prohibitions are the sure guarantee of happiness in
obedience. As received in Christ, it works in us the purity of
character that will bring joy to us through eternal ages. To the
obedient it is a wall of protection. We behold in it the goodness
of God, who by revealing to men the immutable principles of
righteousness, seeks to shield them from the evils that result
from transgression.
cccWe are not to regard God as waiting to punish the
sinner for his sin. The sinner brings the punishment upon
himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that
bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the
sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more
easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men
separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel
of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death.
cccThe law is an expression of God's idea. When we
receive it in Christ, it becomes our idea. It lifts us above the
power of natural desires and tendencies, above temptations that
lead to sin. 'Great peace have they which love Thy law: and
nothing shall offend them' (Ps. 119: 165)--cause them to stumble.
cccThere is no peace [i.e., no true peace] in
unrighteousness; the wicked are at war with God. But he who
receives the righteousness of the law in Christ is in harmony
with Heaven. 'Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and
peace have kissed each other' (Ps. 85: 10). — 1SM 235; or
Letter 96, 1896.
ccc
ccc“Repentance includes sorrow for sin and a
turning away from it. . . .
cccThere are many who fail to understand the true
nature of repentance. Multitudes sorrow that they have sinned and
even make an outward reformation because they fear that their
wrongdoing will bring suffering upon themselves. But this is not
repentance in the Bible sense. They lament the suffering rather
than the sin. . . .
cccBut when the heart yields to the influence of the
Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner
will discern something of the depth and sacredness of God's holy
law, the foundation of His government in Heaven and on earth. The
'Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,'
illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things
of darkness [i.e., of heathen darkness] are made manifest. John
1:9. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner
has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror
of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the
Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of
holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be
restored to communion with Heaven. . . .
cccIf you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make
yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good
enough to come to Christ. Do you expect to become better through
your own efforts? 'Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the
leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed
to do evil.' Jeremiah 13:23. There is help for us only in God. We
must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities,
or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must
come to Christ just as we are.” — SC 15, 16, 17, 26,
27, written in 1896, or the 1896 version.
ccc
Your brother in Christ,
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
FORERUNNER, self-supporting ministries
Home church (since 1983)
Continued.
Pastor Michael O. Hodges
Copyright 2003.
Permission is hereby given to reprint any
of these studies and articles provided that they are duplicated
in their entirety without any change or comment.