A Warning Message

Some criticize the Adventists for preaching topics that focus on future persecution, on laws that will restrict our freedom, and times of trouble. The main argument presented is that we try to instill fear in people so they accept our teachings rather than preaching a message of mercy and love.

But our message, concerning future persecution and times of anguish is filled with the God’s love and mercy. Our message, (the Three Angel’s Message) is one of alarm. It is designed to awaken people to the events being unleashed prior to the Lord’s prompt return. It has the purpose of preparing us to meet our Savior.

I want to emphasize an important point. While the Lord Jesus healed, preached and helped others, he always spoke about the cost involved in following him.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. *1

Jesus also tells us, that we will face persecution for following him. When He tells the disciples of the signs concerning the end times, he does not hide the fact that there will be suffering,

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.* 2

Note what causes such suffering. The love of many has waxed cold because evil has increased tremendously.

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.* 3

This message of warning and preparation contains the love of God which is reflected in this hope,

but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come* 4

Our messages, (including the messages of most all religions) for a long time have focused fully on the mercy and grace of God. While there is nothing wrong with focusing on the mercy of God, the problem is that it is often based on emotions. How many times have we heard:

• "Come to Christ and He will solve all your problems"
• "If you are sick he will heal you"
• "If you are unemployed, He will provide"
• "Give to God that He may multiply your wealth"

I repeat these phrases are all correct according to the Bible. God has more than enough power to solve all our problems and often asks us not to be troubled by these things. My only argument is that these statements are incomplete.

The Lord requires preparation, a transformation in our hearts so that we may be blessed greatly. Let’s not twist these words to say that we are saved by works. But when we separate the Law of God from these promises, we remove the principle under which the Law is based, the love of God.

Here is an example, perhaps too simple, but it demonstrates the point. The Lord has the power to help someone quit smoking. But if this person only spends time around people who smoke and constantly inviting him to smoke and is breathing secondhand smoke, will that person be able to quit? It is very unlikely.

In other words, the Lord demands a commitment from us. We cannot stand with our arms crossed, asking God to fix everything, while we remain in sinfulness. The Lord has never forced and never will force anyone to accept His salvation. He can only make the call and hope you will accept it. But when you come to the Lord, he promises a complete transformation.

This will by default awaken the forces of evil that endeavor to make you fall. However, if we cling to God we will be victorious.

We can also see how the great men of the Bible suffered. The book of Psalms is full of prayers by David crying out to God for help. Jeremiah suffered greatly as he preached what God asked him to. Job was tested severely. Daniel suffered when he was taken captive to Babylon and asked God when His people would be spared.

We can see that all of the apostles faced hard times. Peter was crucified, Paul was saved from being crucified by simply being a Roman citizen but yet still faced death. John the Baptist, charged with preparing the way for Jesus, was decapitated. John, alone on the island of Patmos wrote the book of Revelation,

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. *5

Not to mention the great martyrs of God who all sacrificed their lives just so they could preach the gospel.

In other words, in order to present a complete picture of what it means to follow Jesus we need to submit that there is constant conflict against the forces of evil. The reason we emphasize the signs of the end is because Jesus himself left them so we may know when He is at the door.

The goal is not to create fear, but alarm. What does this mean? When we know what will happen, we prepare, we are ready, but most importantly we realize we cannot face it alone, we need God. We see how all this leads us to the love and grace of God. Our weaknesses and our knowledge of what is to come, causes us to cry out for mercy to God as David did.

the apostle John is very clear when he says,

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.*6

We cannot hide the great cosmic conflict in which we are all a part of. All we can do is approach God with a broken and contrite heart, deny ourselves and take up our cross daily.

But the burden will be easier because Christ is with us, reminding us that we are not of this world but of heaven.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.".* 7

JESUS IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!

1 * Matthew 16:24-27
2 * Matthew 24:6-12
3 * Matthew 24:21-24
4 * Matthew 24:13, 14
5 * Revelation 1:9
6 * Revelation 12:17
7 * John 16:33