Looking Into the Future

Christ Triumphant - A Devotional by E.G. White

Looking Into the Future

Today's Text: And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. Luke 21:25, 26

The Message:      John also was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place as signs of Christ's coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and people's hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled. He saw the vials of wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth.      Already the restraining Spirit of God is being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, fire and flood, disasters by sea and land, follow each other in quick succession. Science seeks to explain all these. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. People cannot discern the sentinel angels restraining the four winds, that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed. But when God shall bid His angels loose the winds, there will be such a scene of strife as no pen can picture.      We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all who are living. The controversies of the past are to be revived. New controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not even dreamed of. Satan is at work through human agencies.      But God's servants are not to trust to themselves in this great emergency. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The world is not without a ruler; the Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations, as well as the concerns of His church, in His own hands.      Brethren, it is no time now for mourning and despair, no time to yield to doubt and unbelief. We have a risen Saviour. He is the King, the Lord of Hosts; He sitteth between the cherubim, and amid the strife and tumult of nations, He guards His people still. He who rules in the heavens is our Saviour. He watches the furnace fire that must test every soul. When the strongholds of kings shall be overthrown, when destruction shall come upon the wicked, His people have the assurance that they are safe in His hands. In patience they are to possess their souls.      The important future is before us. To meet its trials and temptations, and to perform its duties, will require great faith and perseverance. But we may triumph gloriously, for not one watching, praying, believing soul will be ensnared by the devices of the enemy. All heaven is interested in our welfare and waits our demand upon its wisdom and strength. In the time of trial just before us, God's pledge of security will be placed upon those who have kept the word of His patience.-Manuscript 100, 1893.

Commentary: My friend, the great and final time of trouble is just before us, and we will need a faith in God that will sustain us through the troublous times ahead.  When all our earthly support is removed; when our ability to provide for our families is taken away; when we may not buy or sell, will we hold fast to our faith in God when it matters most? Many in the church today have only a superficial understanding of the Scriptures and the foundational pillars of our faith.  If brought before counsels and magistrates they would not be able to sustain their beliefs from the Scriptures and would be quickly confused as to what they believe.  The subject of who we worship is one of those beliefs that most believe they are firmly grounded.  They have been taught that God is a trinity made up of three beings, and they have accepted this to be true without actually testing the Scriptures on it. " Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The great and final test is just before us, and it will center upon who we worship.  Either the God of Babylon or the One true God of the Bible.  While the test will be upon the day of worship, the foundation of who we truly are worshiping will determine our destinies for all eternity.  The last message of hope that is to go to the world is not a call to worship on the true Sabbath, but is a call to worship the One true God verses the trinity.  Allegiance will be shown in the day of worship, but unless we are sanctified by the LORD, our Sabbath keeping will not save us. "Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them." (Ezekiel 20:12). Before this message goes to the world, it will first be brought to the church.  The message of the Faithful and True Witness to the Church of Laodicea is to awaken them from their true condition before God.  It is to show them that they have trusted in the false righteousness of the trinity, and are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Revelation 3:17).  The message of the One true God is the message to the SDA Church that is in the Laodicean condition.  Jesus says "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." (Revelation 3:19).  Unless we are zealous in our repentance, we will not be forgiven of our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness. My friend, if you are holding to God as a trinity, you are preparing to receive the mark of the Beast, for the God of Babylon is the trinity.  May you look unto the One true God through His Son Jesus Christ today. God bless,

Video of the Week Trinity Problems - Imad Awde (WA) The question has been asked "What is wrong with the trinity? Why make such a big fuss about it?" In this presentation Imad highlights 20 problems in the trinity and presents a 60 year old challenge for all protestants.