IAUA End Time Ministry
Preparing for the End of Time
The Lord is Coming! Are you ready?
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IAUA End Time Ministry |
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Preparing for the End of Time | |
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The Lord is Coming! Are you ready? | |
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in
IAUA
(ee-ah-oo-ah) our Father,
Greetings on this day of preparation for the weekly sabbath. I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and happy in the service of the Lord. I have been pondering the shock and dismay that I have faced in my life these past few years. In spite of intensive Bible training while growing up, I learned new teachings as a middle age adult. It is a great shock to discover there are new major truths after decades of believing I was following the whole Bible. This has given me greater sympathy and understanding for others who also were not taught all Bible truth. My wife experienced the same kind of shock when she met me. She had never understood the truth of the Seventh-day Sabbath. Her testimony of the struggle and dismay of being confronted with new truth is inspiring. It is tempting to fall into complacency when you believe you have all the truth. This is the warning to the Laodicean church. Revelation 3:14-17
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write;
These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness,
the beginning of the creation of God;
It is sad that I, along with so many others, have read those words and assumed that they did not apply to me because I studied my Bible. I compared myself to others and assumed that because I knew more than they did and I had a lot of people who agreed with me that I had all the truth. I heard the words preached over and over again to those who did not know the truth I knew. We must study for ourselves. We must not accept what others say. I did not apply them to myself. Revelation 3:18-22
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be
clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
I was led by trial to a greater study of the Bible. I am now far less likely to assume that I know all truth. I am far less likely to take the word of others without careful study. I have learned the anguish, separation, and uncertainty associated with believing something different from the established church. I am also learning a greater humility in trying to share the truth with others. It is so easy to be dogmatic when you have the backing of an established church that agrees with you. It is very humbling to try to present the truth you see when there are few who agree with you. It is especially humbling when those few are geographically separated from you limiting fellowship. It is hard to stand for truth when you are alone. The shock of a new understanding of truth is increased when Bible study of the prophecies makes clear that the end of time "is near, even at the doors". One can't help but feel a concern whether there are even more things that they haven't seen. Knowing that the end is near increases the level of concern. When you don't have the support of an established church for your beliefs, it is tempting to wonder if your understanding is wrong. It is a constant topic of prayer for the Holy Spirit to provide wisdom and understanding. I see now that careful study of the life of the Messiah, who was a devout Jew keeping all of God's law, is required. Following His example in all things is the only security. The lack of support of an established church makes it even more difficult to share your beliefs with others. I am gaining a new appreciation and understanding of what the Millerite Adventists faced. Reading again the biography of Ellen White has even more depth of meaning and emotional understanding. Those early years when there were so few who shared an understanding were so difficult. The rampant errors that the church faced at its beginning exist even today. We need another prophet to help lead the way. The Bible promises another prophet at the end. Malachi 4:4-5
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded
unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and
judgments.
Ellen pointed the way to the statutes. Ellen G. White, "The Law of God". Review and Herald May 6, 1875 "In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law." The church rejected the teaching and the light of the Fourth Angel was delayed. The shock that I have faced is small compared to the shock of those who discover too late that they are not prepared for the end of time. Are you prepared for the end of time? May we all find peace and unity in the soon coming of IAUShUO (Ee-ah-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God. Shabbat Shalom
Frank T. Clark
Next: 2005-05-13 All My Trials |
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Revised 2005-05-13 |