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 4th day of the 3rd month of God's Sacred Calendar in the estimated year 6016 Anno Mundi. Pentecost Sabbath is in 2 days starting the evening of the 6th day of the 3rd month (Sunday, May 27th on the 2012, Gregorian Calendar, beginning sunset on Saturday, May 26th). An amazing thing occurs in the Gregorian Calendar years of both 2011 and 2012. Those who follow the Millerite Calendar (Spring New Moon Rule) and the Jewish Calendar agree with the Spring Passover Rule dates my research, and others, has determined for the Gregorian Calendar dates of God's Sacred Calendar!
Another question from the very active E-ventist Network on LinkedIn. This is highly appropriate to the Pentecost season. Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning... Genesis 1:2 - And the earth was without form... Revelation 12:7 - And there was war in heaven... When did the war in heaven took place? Frank T. Clark • There are many interpretations to what could be a very general statement about the "war in heaven". You referred to this specific event: 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, A complete response to this would be a major Bible Study. I am planning to prepare one. In short, my study of the Bible leads me to see this particular event as occurring when our Saviour ascended to heaven after His resurrection. An examination of the context of Revelation chapter 12 is the basis for my belief. You seem to imply a link of the "war in heaven" with creation. You seem to suggest the earth being without form is a result of the war in heaven. I suspect these suggestions because there are many fanciful theories which go beyond Bible truth and state such a link. I do not see any evidence for this link or the fanciful theories.
I think it is completely mistaken to take Genesis 1:1 and place a gap and some event before Genesis 1:2. The deceptions and cloud of confusion created by Satan attempts to create a gap where none exists. Genesis 1:1 is not an event but an introductory summary to the Creation account. There is NO Biblical evidence for separating the two verses. Contextually, grammatically, and logically it is just an introduction to the events to follow. Some imply a link of the "war in heaven" with this artificial gap in creation. They create many fanciful theories which go beyond Bible truth. They suggest the earth being without form is a result of the war in heaven. They apply the destruction of wars on earth to the war in heaven. I do not see any evidence for this link or the fanciful theories. Some individuals seem to be twisting the words of the Bible to create a problem which does not exist. Genesis 1:1 is an introduction and not a separate creation. Genesis 1:2 was before the earth was created. Some try to make Genesis chapter 1 a separate creation from Genesis chapter 2. Satan has many deceptions. Beginning an understanding of "war in heaven" requires us to distinguish the difference between a war and a battle. We need to establish some general background observations. A typical war is composed of many battles and varying degrees of hostility. The greatest and most decisive battle of a war does not simply end the war. Even when the war is over, battles often continue for a time until final surrender occurs. A defeated but unyielding enemy can cause a tremendous amount of destruction before they meet their final end. I believe we can recognize these observations apply in a general sense to the "war in heaven". The beginning of the war was before creation. It was a war of words and ideas, which were subtle at first but increasingly open. The war began in heaven but continues on earth. The decisive battle was won at the cross but the war still continues. Traditional Adventist belief is that Satan was thrown out of heaven before creation. This is clearly suspect because Satan was described as being freely in heaven in the book of Job long after creation. Ellen White made some statements which are interpreted to support Adventist tradition. My study finds ambiguity in her statements, which can be interpreted in several ways. To focus this study on some solid evidence from the Bible, we need to examine the chronological context of the focus verse. We begin with a woman, the church, who is with child, the Saviour, and the dragon, Satan. The beginning chronological item in the context is the woman with a child who is taken to heaven. This is the birth, resurrection, and ascension of our Saviour. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.The chronology of the context speaks of what happened to the woman, the church, which leads to the 1260 days of the Dark Ages. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.I think it would be more accurate to use the word battle in this text instead of war. I think it is interesting the Greek word used here is a root word to the modern English "polemic", which is a war of words. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,The continuing chronology again shows a time between the cross and the persecution of truth in the Dark Ages. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.Our Saviour saw a prophetic vision of encouragement as He approached the cross. 18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.He spoke of the coming judgment of Satan and being cast out as associated with His sacrifice on the cross. 31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. Pentecost is the celebration of His coronation as King of Kings with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. You may hear a more eloquent and detailed presentation on this subject from David Asscherick. You can see part 1 of this presentation at: http://video.3abn.com/Download.html?DP000005 and part 2: http://video.3abn.com/Download.html?DP000006 He essentially agrees Satan was cast out shortly after the cross. This EGW quote also provides an indication that it was not until after Golgotha that Satan was exposed enough to be expelled. Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion. {DA 758.3} Do you believe what the Bible plainly says or are you looking for some fanciful interpretation? Do you believe God has told us everything that is relevant or do you think He is hiding something? 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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