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-uh-oo-uh) 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. A reader's comments on last week's newsletter. I do observe that those in the organizational structure of many different denominations (especially SDA) often quote (or misquote) about the importance of "Unity"; the underlying motive seems to be the wish to control and fear if they cannot control. However, it also is a reaction to things that seem out-of-control, such as loss of members, others involved in ministries (that God is blessing) outside of church structure, or "sin". So, the motive for stressing "unity" seems to be a mixed and complicated one, with sometimes seemingly "good" motives, othertimes not. I come back to what I understand to be the foundation of our walk with God in the very beginning of time. God's original plan was for us to each have a personal walk with Him. With sin, that walk first changed to became that the heads of each family were to have an alter of prayer (with the lamb, etc as offering). Still personal in small family groups or clans or tribes. Some of this is still evident today in some tribes. Then, as sin abounded, it became more organized, but still led by God, in His directions to the Israelites to build a sanctuary patterned after the one in Heaven. You can take this analygy the rest of the way as I know you have studied much about it from this point onward. I also come back to what I was taught from an early age in terms of some of the foundations of the SDA church and the constitution of this country: The idea of personal choice, personal accountability, free-will (through the sacrifice of Yeshua--I use the name Jesus, but here use the name you prefer and believe in). The organization or organizations (be they sacred or secular) are or have been used by God to a point, but in the end times (today), they become (and are) enmeshed with sin to the point of confusion. Only those who have come back the orginal, God-designed, heart and personal walk with God (the way it was in Eden) will truly hear Him say "Come Out of her my people." Even if a church structure is led by God and not fully caught up in Babylon, I personally must come back to the orginal design. Praise God if I am able to participate in a church body or organization that still has light in it. But even with that blessing, I must have my walk with Him strong enough to not participate in darkness (within the organization) and to not rely upon any body or structure to do what must occur inside my own heart walk with God. I must know truth for myself. On the issue of "sin" and how to respond to "sinners" or "love" sinners: when I read the New Testament in it's historical and cultural context, it seems to me that most organized churches err in many directions and are severely lacking in their ability to both love "sinners" and also in knowing how to hold people accountable in God's way. I have gained much in this area by studying the chapter "Helping the tempted" in the book Ministry of Healing by EGW. It also seems to me that at times outside groups (such as 12-step groups) have a more practical understanding of some issues in this area than any church organization. (But there is darkness and confusion in those groups also). Once again, I can only read what is described in the Bible, EGW, etc and by God's grace be to others what He calls me to be in drawing them to Him. I wish with all my heart that the church body would truly model God's love as well as accountabiliy in this area. But, they often do not. I am grateful for when God is able to use me in this area. That is enough, to be humble in that and used by Him, and to avoid judging or critizing those who either don't love sinners or who err by doing more harm than good in what they think is accountability or judgement. (the sad truth is, that most church members--be they conservative or liberal--do not want to reach the lost). I have often felt negative about the wrongs the organized body of Christ has done in this area. So, in this I must personally pray to keep that personal walk with God, pray for those who do more harm than good, and pray to not be resentful about what I see in the organization. ----- In last week's newsletter I addressed these subjects only with quotes from the Bible. This week while studying the subject of the Fourth Angel's Message which is the latter rain I came across this excellent quote in the words of Ellen White. Testimonies for the Church Volume Six (1901) Present Truth with Gentleness The truth should be presented with divine tact, gentleness, and tenderness. It should come from a heart that has been softened and made sympathetic. We need to have close communion with God, lest self rise up, as it did in Jehu, and we pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or as the still showers that revive the withering plants. Let our words be gentle as we seek to win souls. God will be wisdom to him who seeks for wisdom from a divine source. We are to seek opportunities on every hand, we are to watch unto prayer, and be ready always to give a reason for the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear. Lest we shall impress unfavorably one soul for whom Christ died we should keep our hearts uplifted to God, so that when the opportunity presents itself, we may have the right word to speak at the right time. If you thus undertake work for God, the Spirit of God will be your helper. The Holy Spirit will apply the word spoken in love for the soul. The truth will have quickening power when spoken under the influence of the grace of Christ. {6T 400.1} God's plan is first to get at the heart. Speak the truth, and let Him carry forward the reformatory power and principle. Make no reference to what opponents say, but let the truth alone be advanced. The truth can cut to the quick. Plainly unfold the word in all its impressiveness. {6T 400.2} As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest. No one of the true believers will say: "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas." The testimony of one and all will be: "I cleave unto Christ; I rejoice in Him as my personal Saviour." {6T 400.3} Thus will the truth be brought into practical life, and thus will be answered the prayer of Christ, uttered just before His humiliation and death: "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me." John 17:21. The love of Christ, the love of our brethren, will testify to the world that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Then will the message of the third angel swell to a loud cry, and the whole earth will be lightened with the glory of the Lord. {6T 401.1} Our convictions need daily to be reinforced by humble, sincere prayer and reading of the word. While we each have an individuality, while we each should hold our convictions firmly, we must hold them as God's truth and in the strength which God imparts. If we do not, they will be wrung from our grasp. {6T 401.2} May we strive for peace and unity in truth preparing for the soon coming of IAUShUO (Ee-uh-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God. Shabbat Shalom,
Frank T. Clark
Next: 2006-11-24 Behold I Come Quickly |
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Revised 2006-11-24 |