ARE YOU READY FOR THE SECOND COMING?

Jesus in his love and mercy gave us clear signs of His close return. Unfortunately, as his chosen we are sleeping and although these signs are occurring we are not aware. Many believe that those presenting these messages are merely alarmist and perhaps say:

"But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." Matthew 24:36.

"The words were spoken by Christ in that memorable conversation with his disciples upon Olivet, after he had for the last time departed from the temple. The disciples had asked the question, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?" [MATT. 24:3, 33, 42-51]. Jesus gave them signs, and said, "When ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." [MATT. 24:3, 33, 42-51]. One saying of the Saviour must not be made to destroy another. Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of his coming, we are instructed and required to know when it is near. We are further taught that to disregard his warning, and refuse or neglect to know when his advent is near, will be as fatal for us, as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming. And the parable in the same chapter contrasting the faithful and the unfaithful servant, and giving the doom of him who said in his heart, "My Lord delayeth his coming," shows in what light Christ will regard and reward those whom he finds watching, and teaching his coming, and those denying it. "Watch therefore," he says; "blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing." [MATT 24:3, 33, 42-51]. "If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on these as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." [REV. 3:3.]"*

The servant of the Lord brings a little more clarity to the issue. Although none of us know the day nor the hour in which the Lord will return it is our duty to watch and pray so that we can awaken out of our deep sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)

"Paul speaks of a class to whom the Lord's appearing will come unawares. "The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, . . . and they shall not escape." But he adds, to those who have given heed to the Saviour's warning, "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness." [1 THESS. 5:2-5.]" *

As Adventists we sometimes hide the fact that we came out of a great disappointment in which it was preached that Jesus would come on a certain date. The Lord allowed this to happen for many reasons among them was to awaken a need for the prompt return of Jesus. This could only happen with a greater understanding of the Bible and of the signs combined with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord's servant continues saying,

"Thus it was shown that Scripture gives no warrant for men to remain in ignorance concerning the nearness of Christ's coming. But those who desired only an excuse to reject the truth closed their ears to this explanation; and the words, "No man knoweth the day nor the hour," continued to be echoed by the bold scoffer, and even by the professed minister of Christ. As the people were roused, and began to inquire the way of salvation, religious teachers stepped in between them and the truth, seeking to quiet their fears by falsely interpreting the Word of God. Unfaithful watchmen united in the work of the great deceiver, crying, Peace, peace, when God had not spoken peace. Like the Pharisees in Christ's day, many refused to enter the kingdom of Heaven themselves, and those who were entering in, they hindered. The blood of these souls will be required at their hand." *

"The words of prophecy were fulfilled: "There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." [2 Peter 3:3, 4]. Many who professed to love the Saviour, declared that they had no opposition to the doctrine of the second advent; they merely objected to the definite time. But God's all-seeing eye read their hearts. They did not wish to hear of Christ's coming to judge the world in righteousness. They had been unfaithful servants, their works would not bear the inspection of the heart-searching God, and they feared to meet their Lord. Like the Jews at the time of Christ's first advent, they were not prepared to welcome Jesus. They not only refused to listen to the plain arguments from the Bible, but ridiculed those who were looking for the Lord. Satan and his angels exulted, and flung the taunt in the face of Christ and holy angels, that his professed people had so little love for him that they did not desire his appearing." *

The Bible is clear when it says:

For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Romans 13:11)

Let us examine our lives. How much to we really desire for the Lord to return? Many might say that the Lord has delayed his promise, that it is still a long time until Lord comes. They can even go to Scripture to highlight a few things that still must happen before His return. But the Lord will search their hearts and will demand the blood of all those who hey discouraged and ridiculed for preaching of the prompt return of Christ. The apostle Peter tells us,

.... what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2 Peter 3:10-12)

Let us pray that God’s Spirit may work in us and awaken us to the reality of our times. Events can unravel in several years or several days. The terrible thing is that the latter rain will fall and many hearers of the word we will not pay attention because they are distracted thinking that we should not hasten the coming of Jesus.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (Matthew 24:32, 33)

THE LORD IS COMING!

* The Great Controversy, "A Great Religious Awakening," Ellen White

JESUS AND THE SABBATH

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. (Luke 4:16)

And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. (Mark 2:27, 28)

And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment. .... Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. (Luke 23:54-24:1)

It's exciting to think that God is so perfect and that His law is so perfect that even he didn’t break it. Why did He rise until Sunday? The biblical Sabbath has always started on Friday at sundown. That is why Friday is the day of preparation (on Friday the Israelites picked up double portion of manna in the desert). On the day of preparation (Friday) the women prepared the spices and ointments, however, if Jesus nailed the law to the cross why didn't they prepare Christ's body on Saturday? The women instead rested on Saturday according to the commandment and brought ointments and species until Sunday. Jesus himself even while establishing the plan of salvation for all humanity rested on Saturday and resurrected on Sunday. At no time did Jesus say that because of his resurrection on Sunday that would now be the day of worship. He had many opportunities to make this change but instead these were the words He uttered,

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

It is terrible to think that Jesus was mistaken or that he lied when he said, until heaven and earth pass, not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law. He did not say that after his death the law would change or that after his death we would no longer be under law but until heaven and earth pass away! Do you dare to go against the words pronounced by Jesus himself?

Jesus told his disciples:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

If we believe in Jesus and believe in his works which included keeping the Sabbath holy then we will also do the same works. Then He continues,

If ye love me, keep my commandments... He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him... If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 14:15, 21; 15:10)

I also mention how Jesus summarizes the 10 commandments,

Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:35-40)

I begin by saying that the question of the great commandment was made to tempt Jesus. But in his wisdom He summarized the ten commandments into two. Notice He concludes, "on these two commandments hang all the law." He says, this is the basis of the law! Why? For if we love God:

* We will not worship other gods

* We will not make image or any likeness

* We will not take His name in vain and,

* We remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.

If we love our neighbor:

* We will honor our father and our mother

* We will not kill

* We will not commit adultery

* We will not steal

* We will not speak false testimony and

* We will not covet.

Do not forget that Jesus did not come to change the law but to fulfill it and until heaven and earth has passed not one jot or tittle shall pass from the law. For Jesus himself did not change the law but fulfilled it, NO ONE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THE LAW, NO ONE!

Finally in the last days Jesus said:

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: (Matthew 24:20)

Why if the Sabbath has been changed does He tell the remnant to pray so our flight will not be on Saturday? Christ loves us and if we love Him we'll keep His commandments.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3)

The commandments are not burdensome not even the Sabbath which is the sign that the Lord is our God. Ezekiel 20:12

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 58:13, 14)

It should never be said that the Sabbath is a burden. I hope that the holy Sabbath, a commemoration of God our creator, is always a delight for us!

JESUS IS COMING!

*Sabbath = Saturday

TWO GROUPS

The story on this side of eternity is coming to an end. The signs are being fulfilled and Jesus is completing judgment and his work of intercession for humanity. Are you ready for the coming of Jesus?

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Matthew 24:32, 33

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24: 42-44

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

For yet a little while, and who is coming will come and not tarry. Hebrews 10:37

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Perhaps as you read this, your life is being examined. This might be your last chance, your last opportunity to accept eternal life. There will be two groups in that great day, in what group will you be in?

The Righteous:

Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’ Revelation 2:7

His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Matthew 25:23

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’Revelation 2:11

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21

The wicked:

And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, Matthew 7:23

And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:30

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15

Which of the two groups will you be in? Will you utter the words that all the righteous, saved by the blood of Christ will?

And it will be said in that day: “ Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

Or will you utter say the words of the wicked when they see Christ with all his glory coming in the clouds,

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” Revelation 6:15-17

There are only two paths, one leads to eternal punishment and the other to eternal life. Ensure that your name is written in the book of life so that you may enjoy the eternal privilege of seeing Jesus face to face and participate in all that He has prepared for the saints in the kingdom of heaven. What blessed hope!

THE LORD IS COMING!

THE THIRD ANGEL'S MESSAGE (God's seal)

What is the seal of God? To understand the third angel's message it is necessary to know what the seal of God is. This is critical since we are now being sealed and this time is rapidly coming to a conclusion.

The seal of God necessarily has to be something that represents God. The apostle Paul mentions that we are "sealed" with the Holy Spirit.*1 What does this really mean? First, I emphasize the doctrine that God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are one (we will study this later). Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit because it continues to do His work here on earth. This is of great importance because in order to replace God here on earth it has to be one with God that is it has to be God himself. Later we will go into a little more detail about the Holy Ghost but I ask can God’s seal (His label) be God himself? That is, if the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one how can the Holy Spirit be the seal? Paul mentions that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is in charge of transforming us and preparing us for heaven. That is the Holy Spirit changes us and brings us closer to Jesus every day. Might the seal of God have another emphasis in the framework of prophecy?

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.” *2

We note the first aspect of the seal here. It would be strange to say that the angel was holding the Holy Ghost (was holding God himself).

Furthermore the seal of God is completely opposite to the mark of the beast described in Revelation 14. In Revelation 13 there is a distinction made between the mark of the beast and the number that identifies the beast which is 666. 666 is a number of a man which can be calculated to determine who that man is. Furthermore, the mark of the beast has to be something which will allow persecution for “no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark.”*3

Necessarily the seal of God is the Sabbath and the Mark of the Beast, Sunday, a false day of worship. The seal is placed only on the forehead and the mark of the beast is placed in the hand or forehead. The forehead represents our mind, our thoughts and the hand represents our labor for we work with our hands.

If we return to the days of Israel the angel killed the firstborn in every house where no blood had been placed on the lintel of the door.*4 Note that if one of God’s people did not put this sign on their door they would receive the same consequences as the Egyptians. Furthermore, although this signal was visible to all it was placed for specifically for the angel to see and pass over that home. None of us will literally was around with the seal of God or the mark of the beast on their brow. But our worship on Saturday while visible will be so that God may see our loyalty to him and therefore we do not suffer His wrath.
The apostle John again mentions the seal,

Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. *5

Now combine these texts with the third angel's message to determine what the seal of God is and what the mark of the beast is.

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.*6

Those who receive the mark of the beast on their hand or forehead and those who worship the beast and his image will drink the wine of the wrath of God! Why will God unleash his wrath on those who are not sealed? That is, why will God unleashes his wrath upon those who receive the mark of the beast? If we go back to Scripture, the prophet Ezekiel writes,

But they rebelled against Me and would not obey Me. They did not all cast away the abominations which were before their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. Then I said, ‘I will pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.’…“Therefore I made them go out of the land of Egypt and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them.’ Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them. Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes; they despised My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’; and they greatly defiled My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them in the wilderness, to consume them…because they despised My judgments and did not walk in My statutes, but profaned My Sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols…I am the LORD your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’*7

Look at the similarities between what happened to the people of Israel and what is expressed in the third angel's message. The sign that God left his people is the Sabbath day "that they might know I am the Lord your God!" This is God’s Sabbath and God’s commandments no the Israelites for he mentions throughout the entire chapter “My statutes and My judgments”! We know that God is eternal, His word is eternal and His law is eternal. The law of God is to live forever as God promised that, "man shall live by them"! Now God's wrath is unleashed upon all those who rejected his commandments, went after idols and profaned the day that God left as a sign!

Why is Saturday the day he left as a sign? Why is it eternal? Why it a sign that He is Lord our God who sanctifies us? Why is it the seal of God? It's simple, the Sabbath was a sign established once God finished creating heavens and earth. It reminds us that God is our creator! If there is something that Satan hates is for us to worship God our sole creator of the universe. That is why we have so many theories on the existence of this universe; there purpose is to lead us away from our creator.

Notice what the Bible says:

“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”*8

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.” *9

Of the number of reasons why God deserves our worship, among them his love and the eternal life manifested in the sacrifice of Jesus, the Bible emphasizes the creative power of God. God’s principle title is "God our creator". Of the Ten Commandments the fourth, Saturday, announces to the world that God is our creator. Finally, Revelation emphasizes that Satan seeks to destroy this title and persecutes anyone who keeps God’s Sabbath.

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.*10

Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.*11

If we are no longer under God’s commandments why does Scripture say that the war is against the saints who keep the commandments of God? Friend, there is nothing worse, not even the worst that Satan can do, that would surpass the wrath of God. Do not refuse the call of Christ. He gives us the opportunity for salvation through his grace and love. It is time that we show our love for Him by keeping His holy commandments and having the faith of Jesus. That way we may ensure that our names are written in the book of life and that we are sealed for eternal salvation.

Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples.*12

JESUS IS COMING!

1* Ephesians 1:13, 4:30
2* Revelation 7:1-3
3* Revelation 13:17
4* Exodus 12:23
5* Revelation 14:1
6* Revelation 14:9-12
7* Ezekiel 20:8-20
8* Revelation 4:11
9* Revelation 14:7
10* Revelation 12:17
11* Revelation 14:12
12* Isaiah 8:16

THE ECONOMIC CRISIS

Interestingly, economic trends have not changed. Sin blinds us to the point where the story repeats itself over and over again. For example, have you ever heard of something like this happening?

The poor are everywhere. The banks have ruined the country. They invested the people's deposits in various speculations, exceeded their funds, and as the result some have failed, and others have closed, so that the people are poor and helpless. Thousands are destitute of money; they are thrown out of work, and distress is everywhere…The land boom has cursed this country. Extravagant prices have been paid for lands bought on credit;… A house to be built calls for more money, and then interest with open mouth swallows up all the profits. Debts accumulate, and then come the closings and failures of banks, and the foreclosures of mortgages. Thousands have been turned out of employment; families lose their little all. They borrow and borrow, and then have to give up their property and come out penniless. Much money has been put into farms, bought on credit or inherited with an incumbrance. The occupants lived in hope of becoming real owners, and it might have been so, but for the failure of banks throughout the country. *1

Ellen White in this letter written in 1890 describes the condition of Australia and the reason why the country was in recession. We could do a lot of speculation about what will happen with the economy these days. Political leaders and economists see our status as part of a cycle which fluctuates over the decades. Many have already said that the recession has surely come to an end but that it will take some time to recover. Now I don’t need to emphasize that every economist understands the impact that positive information has on consumers. That is, if economists were to say that the economy is in terrible condition and the recession is not really over then no one will make investments, create jobs or spend large sums of money. While some factors appear to be improving here are some factors that seem to say the opposite:

• High unemployment rates (likely to increase)
• Estimates of more than 25 million jobs lost in the 30 most powerful countries in the world.
• The unemployment rate could rise to 10% in these 30 countries.*2
• The situation with banks is not improving.
• Banks still have many losses (real estate, business investments).
• They are paying their executives millions.
• A return to risky investments.*3
• Increased membership in labor unions.
• These unions heavily supported President Obama.
  He has made many promises to favor unions and win their support.
• He preferred the support of unions then to improve relations with other nations (China) *4
• Instability in the mortgage industry
• Specifically home sales

Add to this a combination of factors that did not exist or at least were not at the levels they are today.

• Globalization (Increased interdependence among nations)
• General instability of world
• Climatic changes
• Increase in wars and terrorism
• Widespread panic
• Increased in the number of natural disasters
• Limited natural resources
• Over population
• Increase in poverty
• Lack of food (1 Billion people)
• Increase in violence
• Increase in diseases
• God’s spirit moving away from this world
• The impending return of Jesus!

It is my firm conviction that this economy will not improve or at least ask the Lord that it does not improve. The United Nations stated that the number of people suffering from hunger, for the first time in the history of this planet, is 1 billion. This represents almost one sixth of the world population. The number of people starving to death continues to increase but the report said the amount of aid received this year is the lowest it has been in the past 20 years. The organization needs more than $6.7 billion and so far only it only had $ 2.6 billion. Moreover, selfishness and greed lead to people lead people to think only about themselves rather than to help out all of these people that are in need.

Interestingly, the servant of the Lord also prophesied about the increase in membership in labor unions.

The trades unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.....In the world gigantic monopolies will be formed. Men will bind themselves together in unions that will wrap them in the folds of the enemy. A few men will combine to grasp all the means to be obtained in certain lines of business. Trades unions will be formed, and those who refuse to join these unions will be marked men...These unions are one of the signs of the last days.... Those who claim to be the children of God are in no case to bind up with the labor unions that are formed or that shall be formed. This the Lord forbids. Cannot those who study the prophecies see and understand what is before us? Important issues must soon be met, and we wish to be hid in the cleft of the rock, that we may see Jesus, and be quickened by His Holy Spirit. We have no time to lose, not a moment.*5

After the third angel's message is preached and the righteous have been sealed but before the end of the time of grace there will be a short time of peace.

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.*6

My attention was then called from the scene. There seemed to be a little time of peace. Once more the inhabitants of the earth were presented before me; and again everything was in the utmost confusion. Strife, war, and bloodshed, with famine and pestilence, raged everywhere.*7

These events are occurring all around us just as they were prophesied. Unfortunately, we are asleep so we haven’t been praying for the refreshing power of the latter rain to descend upon us that we may preach this message with great power. Jesus is at the door all the signs indicate it. Are you ready? Stop trying to accumulate wealth in this world and put your eyes onto heaven sky. Accumalate treasures in heaven where everything will be eternal!

THE LORD IS COMING!

1 * Manuscript Releases, Ellen White and the Australian Depression of the 1890's
2 * http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8259032.stm
3 * http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_bi_ge/us_meltdown_same_old_wall_street_4
4 * http://blogs.reuters.com/james-pethokoukis/2009/09/16/obama-risks-trade-war-to-help-union-allies/
5 * Marantha The Lord is Coming!, “Labor Unions and Trust”, Ellen White
6 * 1 Thessalonians 5:3
7 * Marantha The Lord is Coming!, "Short Time for Peace, Ellen White