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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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 18th day of the 5th month of God's Sacred Calendar in the estimated year 6014 Anno Mundi. It is 6 weeks until the Fall Sabbaths begin with Trumpets Sabbath on the evening of the 1st day of the 7th month (Friday, September 10 on the 2010 Gregorian Calendar, beginning sunset on Thursday, September 9th). This year, those who follow the Millerite Calendar determination will be one month later than my research has determined for the Gregorian Calendar dates of God's Sacred Calendar. The dates on the Jewish Calendar are one day earlier in the spring and one day early in the fall. _____ Recent discussions, events, and research for newsletter topics have made clear to me there are some serious issues to be addressed on the subjects of controversy, confrontation, and unity. Unity has different types of concerns in the denomination and in the body of Messiah which is the True Church. Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. "Unity" in the body is love and acceptance of different understandings at different levels of development, without confrontation and arguments leading to controversy, with healthy discussion and investigation. The denomination tends to see "Unity" as everyone having the same belief and not questioning the official position. Unfortunately, the denomination tends to be concerned about preserving the organization, it's control, and it's authority a little bit more than preserving Biblical truth. But God has reminded us, because He is the Authority who sets all other authorities in their place, we must respect their purpose.
Titus 3:1-4 It is extremely important that those who disagree with what the denomination is teaching be very careful to maintain a proper attitude. God accepts us as he accepts others, and as he accepts the denomination. None of us are perfect. The example of the Messiah is to show the love of God. Patience, understanding and tolerance are what we should manifest. I am not talking about tolerance of sin. I am talking about tolerance of ignorance and misunderstanding. Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: When an individual has been taught a lie for many years by people they respect, who were also taught a lie, it will take a long time for them to understand and accept the truth. We need to have patience and love for others who struggle as we have also struggled.
I Timothy 1:12-15
We need to show the love of God to those who are ignoring His law. We are to avoid controversy, attacks, and criticism. We are not to confront those who are teaching error in an attitude of criticism. "But gradually a change came. The believers began to look for defects in others. Dwelling upon mistakes, giving place to unkind criticism, they lost sight of the Saviour and His love. They became more strict in regard to outward ceremonies, more particular about the theory than the practice of the faith. In their zeal to condemn others, they overlooked their own errors. They lost the brotherly love that Christ had enjoined, and, saddest of all, they were unconscious of their loss. They did not realize that happiness and joy were going out of their lives and that, having shut the love of God out of their hearts, they would soon walk in darkness." {AA 548.1} I have often felt the sting of criticism, individually and as part of a group, which said, I am not a "Happy Christian". I make these observations. Mirth is not happiness. Frivolity is not joy. Apathy is not peace. Seriousness is not sadness. Concern is not sorrow. Repugnance is not insecurity. "As a witness for Christ, John entered into no controversy, no wearisome contention. He declared what he knew, what he had seen and heard. He had been intimately associated with Christ, had listened to His teachings, had witnessed His mighty miracles. Few could see the beauties of Christ's character as John saw them. For him the darkness had passed away; on him the true light was shining. His testimony in regard to the Saviour's life and death was clear and forcible. Out of the abundance of a heart overflowing with love for the Saviour he spoke; and no power could stay his words." {AA 555.2} Consider carefully the reminders that the Messiah avoided controversy. "From the time when the parents of Jesus found Him in the temple, His course of action was a mystery to them. He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson." {DA 89.6} "Though Jesus recognized Satan from the beginning, He was not provoked to enter into controversy with him. Strengthened with the memory of the voice from heaven, He rested in His Father's love. He would not parley with temptation." {DA 119.3} "While Jesus made it plain that He was under no obligation to pay the tribute, He entered into no controversy with the Jews in regard to the matter; for they would have misinterpreted His words, and turned them against Him. Lest He should give offense by withholding the tribute, He did that which He could not justly be required to do. This lesson would be of great value to His disciples. Marked changes were soon to take place in their relation to the temple service, and Christ taught them not to place themselves needlessly in antagonism to established order. So far as possible, they were to avoid giving occasion for misinterpretation of their faith. While Christians are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, they should avoid controversy whenever it is possible to do so." {DA 434.4} We need to lean very heavily on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Our own personal practice and example is the best witness. The time and place for action and the results are in God's hands not yours or mine. Paul was also misunderstood as Peter himself acknowledged. Today those who don't want to do all of what God says still try to make it look like Paul disagreed with God. Silly isn't it? It would be funny if the results were not so disastrous. God is in charge and He has everything under control. Follow Him and He will judge the results. Be patient and kind to each other and to those in the church who see things differently. Never forget how patient and kind He is to us in our weakness. We must always be charitable and understanding in our discussion of difficult issues to be sure we have and demonstrate the love and compassion of our Saviour. We may share what we believe but understanding and conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. We make a great mistake when we take upon ourselves the work of the Holy Spirit and try to convict others of what we see as truth. An excerpt from a recent email exchange at the end of a long and painstaking discussion, which often degenerated into confrontation, of the "Chosen People" illustrates these points. _____ ... I think these are reasonable questions to ask and do not believe that I have asked them in a confrontational manor. _____ I responded: These are reasonable questions, if asked at the beginning of a discussion. It is confrontational because you continue the same questions or variants long after the discussion is past. I have answered these questions already. These questions are stated in a derogatory and misleading way to attempt to force my compliance to your understanding. I understand your position but I do not agree. If your questions are honest, you do not understand mine. You clearly disagree. It is long past time to accept each other with our understanding. Or you can choose to do as some have done and condemn me as deluded. In that case, you do something which God does not do. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. I accept you as my brother in the love of the Messiah. I do not condemn your understanding but I do not agree. Your future is in the hands of the Holy Spirit and you. I do not set myself up to take the place of the Holy Spirit to lead you to truth. I am certainly not egotistical enough to expect you to share my understanding. One LAST time, I will give a reworded answer to match your reworded questions. I will speak of underlying principles. If you do not see how it applies to your question, it is beyond my control or concern. Enough is enough. There are three distinct concepts. 1. The Law of God as recorded by Moses which does not change, though it can increase in specific guidance adapted to our deteriorating condition and increasing sin. 2. The people of God who can choose to obey or disobey. 3. The Everlasting covenant which is based on obedience and also adapts. When individuals or groups obey they remain within the full extent of the covenant. When they do not obey through long term, deep seated apostasy, they reject the covenant and are no longer under its terms. You claim the Jewish people receive the full benefit of the covenant without obedience to its precepts and in spite of rejecting the author of the covenant. Ridiculous. Enough! _____ Does Satan tempt you to dispute and controversy? Is your motivation to share truth in love with those who are ready and willing to listen? 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
Next: 2010-08-06 Confrontation |
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Revised 2010-08-06 |