After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:1-3
Similar to the cities of the past this world has already been condemned. God in his wisdom did not destroy Lucifer allowing sin to run its course. We are all witnesses to the universe of how terrible and painful the consequences of sin are. The worst of all being death.
But Jesus came to this world to provide hope to those who were lost. After 6,000 years of pain and suffering, the entire universe understands that the purpose of Satan was always to deceive and destroy. On the other hand, the universe also understands that God's character is based on love.
Jesus gave his life because he does not want anyone to perish. He desires that we all reach heaven.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
We are upon the last night of this world. There is no other solution for sin and nothing else can be done for the sinner who rejects Christ.
The four angels were ready to release the winds of judgment over this world when an angel stopped them. It was necessary that the faithful of God be sealed. Now we are at the time of sealing. Now is when we must look for God's protection.
Four mighty angels are still holding the four winds of the earth. Terrible destruction is forbidden to come in full. The...winds will be the stirring up of the nations to one deadly combat, while the angels hold the four winds, forbidding the terrible power of Satan to be exercised in its fury until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. *1
But every day the Lord withdraws his protecting spirit from this world. The time of probation is closing.
The signs of the times give evidence that the judgments of heaven are being poured out, that the day of the Lord is at hand. The daily papers are full of indications of an intense conflict in the future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed by demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. All these things testify that the Lord's coming is near. *1
The Apostle Peter continues:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-12
Just before the coming of the Lord, the enemy will make a pronounced attack against God’s law. Remember with whom the dragon went to make war.
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17
Which one of the commandments will be specifically targeted?
A time is coming when the law of God is, in a special sense, to be made void in our land [the United States]. The rulers of our nation will, by legislative enactments, enforce the Sunday law, and thus God's people will be brought into great peril. When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land. *2
Note that the first angel's message states:
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:6, 7
Those who fulfill the commandments of God and praise our God as creator, through His holy day, will be saved through Jesus. The hour of His judgment has come. We cannot ignore this fact. The coming of the Lord is at hand and only those who have sought God with a sincere heart will remain standing in the last days.
1 * Maranatha, "167. Troublous Times Right Upon Us", Ellen g. White
2 * Maranatha, "171. God’s Law Made Void In America", Ellen g. White
No comments:
Post a Comment