Sabbath, June 5, 2010

“For all those things hath Mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” Isaiah 66:2.

God’s kingdom is not of this world

1. What should God’s church represent in a sinful world? When is that especially necessary? What do the three angels’ messages signify forever for God’s church?
Matthew
24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Revelation 14:6-12 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 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 the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

“The third angel is flying in the midst of heaven, heralding the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This represents the work which is to be done in these last days. The message loses none of its power in its onward flight. John sees the work increasing in power till the whole earth is filled with the glory of God. The message, ‘Fear God and keep His commandments; for the hour of His judgment is come,’ is to go with a loud voice. With intensified zeal and energy human beings are to carry forward the work of the Lord. In the home, in the school, and in the church men, women, and youth are to be prepared to give the message to the world…. We need strong, devoted, self-sacrificing young men and young women, who will press to the front.” –Sons and Daughters of God, p. 207.

“Again and again Christ had been asked to decide legal and political questions; but He refused to interfere in temporal matters…. He stood in our world as the Head of the great spiritual kingdom that He came to our world to establish–the kingdom of righteousness. His teaching made plain the ennobling, sanctifying principles that govern this kingdom.” –Gospel Workers, p. 396.

Separate from politics

2. Considering that God’s children are not of the world, what position do they occupy in relation to politics? What do politics do?
John 17:14, 16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Matthew 23:8, last part … All ye are brethren. 
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

“A child of God, a true Christian does not get involved in politics. Human minds get involved with national and international matters, but a Christian does not take a position for the one or the other party. Even though he is still in this world and respects and obeys the corresponding worldly authorities as long as they do not go against his conscience in matters relating to faith, he does not belong to the world. and the great political interests have no value for him. He belongs to heaven…. Even if nations fight against one another and even if one or the other nation is more or less guilty of this disgrace, for a Christian they are all the same. He does not get involved in political activities but tries to save those who are lost within them. This is the commission that his Saviour gave him and that is his only concern…. A Christian cannot at the same time carry the sword of the state in one hand and the sword of the Spirit in the other. Only an apostate congregation can do that….” –Christlicher Hausfreund, September 1915.

“Those teachers in the church or in the school who distinguish themselves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not cooperate with them. The tithe should not be used to pay anyone for speechifying on political questions. Every teacher, minister, or leader in our ranks who is stirred with a desire to ventilate his opinions on political questions, should be converted by a belief in the truth, or give up his work. His influence must tell as a laborer together with God in winning souls to Christ, or his credentials must be taken from him. If he does not change, he will do harm, and only harm….” –Gospel Workers, p. 393.

3. Why was the Reform Movement outlawed in 1936, three years before World War II broke out?
2 Corinthians 6:14, 15 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

Since its origin in 1914, the Reform Movement has remained apart from politics and has not participated in war or revolution, for such activities are a primary source of apostasy. The Christian’s high calling to serve the Lord has nothing in common with political activities. The following quotation by the German government, which was published in the public newspapers in Germany, confirmed this:

“The Seventh-day Adventist Reform Movement, under the disguise of a religious activity, pursues goals that are contrary to the universal institution of National Socialism. The followers of this sect refuse to use the German greeting (“Save Hitler”). They openly declare that they are international and consider all men as their brothers.”

Participation in conflict

4. What did the Seventh-day Adventist Church do, in spite of the light it had been given?
Isaiah 8:9-13 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.  

On the one hand the official Adventist Church rejoiced that the Reformers were severely persecuted by the powers of darkness, and on the other hand it declared everywhere that it was well accepted by the authorities, had no difficulties, and enjoyed perfect freedom. Was not this a clear sign that Heaven had withdrawn from the church its heavenly credentials as the church of God? In 1940, referring to Hitler, it was written in the church’s publication: “We thank God for the wise and powerful head of state which He gave to the German people. The Lord of history did not want us to slide deeper into the abyss, as happened after the world war we lost. That is the reason why He sent us a saviour who was chosen to lead our people through the hardest trials with efforts that were so successful that few lives were lost, contrary to every historical experience. Last year, the life of the ‘Führer’ was blessed with great success. And now we want to gather together to ask God to give him His blessing also in this new year…. Oh Lord, we are ready to pray and work….” –German Adventist Magazine Adventbote, April 15, 1940.

“Considering the statement of the fifth congress of the Seventh-day Adventists, in which our relation to the Russian government was clearly stated, the sixth federal congress of the Seventh-day Adventists decides that Seventh-day Adventists have the duty to give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what is God’s. This means they should comply with civil and military service in all its forms, according to the constitution that is valid for each citizen. Whoever teaches something different and does not require the fulfillment of his duty before the government will be considered by this congress as a heretic who does not acknowledge the teachings of the Scriptures and the unity of the church of God and places himself outside the Seventh-day Adventist organization.” –Alf Lohne, Adventists in Russia, p. 118.

It is well known that the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is on good terms with Protestants and with the Catholic Church, opening its meetings to their their pastors and clerics. We have clear proof of this. There is not enough space here for more details. There is great apostasy!

The trumpet gives a certain sound

5. Since the church has failed in its duty as a watchman and instead participated in many wars–World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, and others–whom has it actually rejected?
Psalm 50:17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Jeremiah 32:33 And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.
Nehemiah 9:26, first part Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.

6. Against what has it taken a position, even while claiming obedience?
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Who are the Lord’s faithful witnesses?
Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

What way did the apostate church abandon?
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

“The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only-begotten Son. From the begin-ning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived. These sentinels gave the message of warning; and when they were called to lay off their armor, others took up the work. God brought these witnesses into covenant relation with Himself, uniting the church on earth with the church in heaven. He has sent forth His angels to minister to His church, and the gates of hell have not been able to prevail against His people.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 11.

Heirs of the kingdom

7. Who will inherit the heavenly kingdom?
Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

“God calls for separation from the world. Will you obey? Will you come out from among them, and remain separate and distinct from them? ‘For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?’ You cannot mingle with worldlings, and partake of their spirit, and follow their example, and be at the same time a child of God. The Creator of the universe addresses you as an affectionate Father. If you separate from the world in your affections, and remain free from its contamination, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust, God will be your Father, He will adopt you into His family, and you will be His heir. In place of the world, He will give you, for a life of obedience, the kingdom under the whole heavens. He will give you an eternal weight of glory and a life that is as enduring as eternity.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 44.

8. Therefore, what will we represent at all times, to what will we be obedient, and from what will we be separate if we desire Jesus to abide in our hearts?
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

“Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men from the narrow circle that their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field.” –Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 42.