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 pray this newsletter finds you in good health and happy in the service of IAUA. This is the 29th day of the 10th month of God's Sacred Calendar in the estimated year 6013 Anno Mundi. It is 10 weeks and 5 days until the Spring Sabbaths begin on the evening of the 15th day of the 1st month (Wednesday, March 31 on the 2010 Gregorian Calendar, beginning sunset on Tuesday, March 30). This year, those who follow the Millerite Calendar determination will be one month later than my research has determined for the Gregorian Calendar dates for God's Sacred Calendar. The dates on the Jewish Calendar are one day earlier in the spring and one day early in the fall. _____ Continuing the line of thought, which started with "What is Truth?" and progressed to the topic "Bible Study", we reach the thought, "Truth is Progressive!". Our limited and degraded human minds, depraved by millennia of sin, are a long way from understanding all of God's truth. We must beware of falling into the deception of complacency. When we have learned a great deal of God's truth we may think we have it all. This is the warning for the church of Laodicea about complacency. So much truth was lost in the Great Apostasy of the Dark Ages. Protestants stepped out from the darkness of the Papal system and found great light. They became complacent and did not realize they were still in the deep shadows. The Adventist church took a big step out from the deep shadows and found greater light. They also became complacent and did not realize they were still in shadow. The Third Elijah Message takes another step but we must be careful not to become complacent about shadows which may still linger. In particular we need to beware of new deceptions Satan will throw at us. In the openness of our search for God's truth we must be careful to avoid new deceptions. II Corinthians 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. The Bible is our only trustworthy source of truth. Psalms 33:4 For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. While pondering and studying on this subject I found several quotes from the deeply spiritual writer, Ellen White, which are instructive and encouraging. There are so many more about progressive truth than I included in this newsletter. I am sorry this newsletter is long. I hope you will take the time to carefully consider these words. The Great Controversy (1911), Chapter 16 The Pilgrim Fathers The great principle so nobly advocated by Robinson and Roger Williams, that truth is progressive, that Christians should stand ready to accept all the light which may shine from God's holy word, was lost sight of by their descendants. The Protestant churches of America,--and those of Europe as well,--so highly favored in receiving the blessings of the Reformation, failed to press forward in the path of reform. Though a few faithful men arose, from time to time, to proclaim new truth and expose long-cherished error, the majority, like the Jews in Christ's day or the papists in the time of Luther, were content to believe as their fathers had believed and to live as they had lived. Therefore religion again degenerated into formalism; and errors and superstitions which would have been cast aside had the church continued to walk in the light of God's word, were retained and cherished. Thus the spirit inspired by the Reformation gradually died out, until there was almost as great need of reform in the Protestant churches as in the Roman Church in the time of Luther. There was the same worldliness and spiritual stupor, a similar reverence for the opinions of men, and substitution of human theories for the teachings of God's word. {GC 297.2} {GC88 297.1} Signs of the Times, April 13, 1888, Sanctification Men hear the words of Christ, but they are not doers of his words. The progressive character of the life of godliness is not agreeable to their ease-loving, selfish habits and desires. They do not partake of the broken body and shed blood of the Saviour of men. They are not willing to "crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts," that they may be renewed in true holiness, after the image of the Son of God. The word of God that tries the hearts of men, proves them wanting. They have no part in the Saviour's grace, no foundation for hope in his salvation. Says Jesus, "He that is of God heareth God's words." Those who receive the law and the testimony, and assimilate the truth of God, are partaking of the divine nature, growing up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, and the word of truth is working their sanctification. Though they make no boasting profession of holiness, but manifest a meek and quiet spirit, working the works of Christ, they will stand before the throne of God, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. They will be sanctified and glorified through obedience to the commandments of God, wrought by divine power, through the faith of the Son of God. {ST, April 13, 1888 par. 15} Signs of the Times, May 19, 1890 Obedience is Sanctification Obedience to the law of God is sanctification. There are many who have erroneous ideas in regard to this work in the soul, but Jesus prayed that his disciples might be sanctified through the truth, and added, "Thy word is truth." Sanctification is not an instantaneous but a progressive work, as obedience is continuous. Just as long as Satan urges his temptations upon us, the battle for self-conquest will have to be fought over and over again; but by obedience, the truth will sanctify the soul. Those who are loyal to the truth will, through the merits of Christ, overcome all weakness of character which has led them to be moulded by every varying circumstance of life. {ST, May 19, 1890 par. 2} Many have taken the position that they cannot sin because they are sanctified, but this is a delusive snare of the evil one. There is constant danger of falling into sin, for Christ has warned us to watch and pray lest we enter into temptation. If we are conscious of the weakness of self, we shall not be self-confident and reckless of danger; but we shall feel the necessity of seeking to the Source of our strength, Jesus our righteousness. We shall come in repentance and contrition, with a despairing sense of our own finite weakness, and learn that we must daily apply to the merits of the blood of Christ, that we may become vessels fit for the Master's use. While thus depending upon God, we shall not be found warring against the truth, but we shall always be enabled to take our stand for the right. We should cling to the teaching of the Bible, and not follow the customs and traditions of the world, the sayings and doings of men. When errors arise and are taught as Bible truth, those who have a connection with Christ will not trust to what the minister says, but, like the noble Bereans, they will search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so. When they discover what is the word of the Lord, they will take their stand on the side of truth. They will hear the voice of the true Shepherd saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it." Thus you will be educated to make the Bible the man of your counsel, and the voice of a stranger you will neither hear nor follow. {ST, May 19, 1890 par. 3} Signs of the Times, May 26, 1890, Candid Investigation Necessary to an Understanding of the Truth We must have greater wisdom than we have yet manifested in regard to the manner in which we treat those who in some points of faith honestly differ from us. It is unbecoming in anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ to be sharp and denunciatory, to stoop to ridicule the views of another. The spirit of criticism unfits men for receiving the light that God would send them, or for seeing what is evidence of the truth. Should the Lord reveal light after his own plan, many would not respect or comprehend it; they would ridicule the bearer of God's message as one who set himself up above those who were better qualified to teach. {ST, May 26, 1890 par. 1} The papal authorities first ridiculed the reformers, and when this did not quench the spirit of investigation, they placed them behind prison walls, loaded them with chains, and when this did not silence them or make them recant, they finally brought them to the fagot and the sword. We should be very cautious lest we take the first steps in this road that leads to the Inquisition. The truth of God is progressive; it is always onward, going from strength to a greater strength, from light to a greater light. We have every reason to believe that the Lord will send us increased truth, for a great work is yet to be done. In our knowledge of truth, there is first a beginning in our understanding of it, then a progression, then completion; first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear. Much has been lost because our ministers and people have concluded that we have had all the truth essential for us as a people; but such a conclusion is erroneous and in harmony with the deceptions of Satan; for truth will be constantly unfolding. {ST, May 26, 1890 par. 2} The greatest care should be exercised lest we do despite to the Spirit of God by treating with indifference and scorn the messenger, and the messages, God sends to his people, and so reject light because our hearts are not in harmony with God. When Christianity is truly received, it will always transform the heart and mould the character. Let those who have been accounted worthy to be expositors of God's word, who have been intrusted with the care of the flock of God, like humble, wise men, open their Bibles with grateful hearts and study its precious utterances. The messenger of God should not only search the Scriptures, but he should also urge the people to study the word of truth. As the miner seeks for gold in the rocks and the mountains, so men should dig in the mine of truth, that they may find out what God has revealed concerning the salvation of man. {ST, May 26, 1890 par. 3} Signs of the Times, November 3, 1890, Justification by Faith When through repentance and faith we accept Christ as our Saviour, the Lord pardons our sins, and remits the penalty prescribed for the transgression of the law. The sinner then stands before God as a just person; he is taken into favor with Heaven, and through the Spirit has fellowship with the Father and the Son. Then there is yet another work to be accomplished, and this is for a progressive nature. The soul is to be sanctified through the truth. And this also is accomplished through faith. For it is only by the grace of Christ, which we receive through faith, that the character can be transformed. {ST, November 3, 1890 par. 1} It is important that we understand clearly the nature of faith. There are many who believe that Christ is the Saviour of the world, that the gospel is true and reveals the plan of salvation, yet they do not possess saving faith. They are intellectually convinced of the truth, but this is not enough; in order to be justified, the sinner must have that faith that appropriates the merits of Christ to his own soul. We read that the devils "believe, and tremble;" but their belief does not bring them justification, neither will the belief of those who give a merely intellectual assent to the truths of the Bible bring them the benefits of salvation. This belief fails of reaching the vital point, for the truth does not engage the heart or transform the character. {ST, November 3, 1890 par. 2} In genuine, saving faith, there is trust in God, through the belief in the great atoning sacrifice made by the Son of God on Calvary. In Christ, the justified believer beholds his only hope and deliverer. Belief may exist without trust, but confidence born of trust cannot exist without faith. Every sinner brought to a knowledge of the saving power of Christ, will make manifest this trust in greater degree as he advances in experience. {ST, November 3, 1890 par. 3} 1888 Materials, Chapter 184 To O. A. Olsen, July 6, 1896 But some men, as soon as they are placed in sacred positions of trust, regard themselves as great men, and this thought, if entertained, ends the desire for divine enlightenment, which is the only possible thing that can make men great. Those who take this view, extinguish all chance of true greatness in them, because they will not become illuminated by the Sun of Righteousness. {1888 1599.2} But men cannot extinguish the light of life, even though they close their eyes tightly in order that they may not see it. The Sun of Righteousness shines none the less because the poor, foolish human event surrounds himself with self-created darkness. {1888 1599.3} The men who close their eyes to the divine light are ignorant, deplorably ignorant, both of the Scripture and of the power of God. The Holy Spirits working is not agreeable to them, and they attribute its manifestations to fanaticism. They rebel against the light, and do all they can to shut it out, calling darkness light, and light darkness. They complain that the teachings of Christ cause undue excitement and fanaticism, which spoils those who receive them for the proper duties of life. {1888 1599.4} Those who entertain this belief, do not know who they are about. They are cherishing a love for darkness, and just as long as these Christless souls are retained in positions of responsibility, the cause of God is imperilled. They are in danger of fastening themselves so firmly with the dark leader of all rebellion, that they will never see light; and the longer they are retained, the more hopeless is their chance of receiving Christ, or of having a knowledge of the true God. How uncertain they make everything that is spiritual and progressive in the truth. Under the influence of their leader, they become more and more determined to work against Christ. But through good and bad report, through darkness, through all the antagonism of the agencies of Satan, the Sun of Righteousness calmly shines on, searching out evil, repressing sin, and reviving the Spirit of the humble and contrite ones. "Lord, to whom shall we go:, thou hast the words of eternal life." {1888 1599.5} The Watchman, June 23, 1908, The Rejection of Light The understanding of those who trifle with the plain testimonies of God's Word, and refuse to believe because it is inconvenient or unpopular to do so, will become darkened; truth will appear to them as error, and error will be accepted as truth. There are so many teachers who confuse the mind, and lead men away from the path of obedience, that we need to watch, and pray much for divine guidance. Those who transgress God's law will have much to say about charity; and when the truth is spoken, they talk of the liberality of God's Word and the license given in it. But love for Christ and for the souls for whom he died, will lead the servant of God to make faithful warnings and appeals. {SW, June 23, 1908 par. 6} Those who walk in the light will progress. They will grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. This is the result of sanctification through the truth. Truth is progressive: and those who are preparing for the last great day will go forward, in accordance with the accumulated light which shines upon them from the prophecies and from the lessons of Christ and his apostles. {SW, June 23, 1908 par. 7} Are you actively and diligently seeking "Present Truth" or are you satisfied and complacent with your current understanding? I pray we may all continue to seek love, peace, and unity in truth preparing for the soon coming of IAUShUO (ee-ah-oo-shoo-oh) Messiah, the Son of God.
Frank T. Clark
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