LESSON 18
A GREAT WONDER IN HEAVEN: A WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN, AND THE MOON UNDER HER FEET
You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible Study Programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.
In this edition, we continue with our series on The Final Events of Bible Prophecy. The topic for this study is: A Great Wonder in Heaven: A Woman Clothed with the Sun, and the Moon Under her Feet. In our previous study, I raised certain pertinent questions that I believe were on the hearts of several readers. The questions were:
1. After leaving Babylon, what is the next step? 2. Given the confusion in the religious world today, is there anything like the one true church of God? Does the Bible lead us to such a definite conclusion?
Friends, someone has said that "As an eternal principle, you do not go to the church to find the truth; you go to the Bible to find the truth. When you find the truth, you look for a church that teaches the truth." This quote becomes very important when we come to learn that the church of the living God is THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH (1 Timothy 3:15; Capital Emphasis Added).
Beloved, in every generation, God has had a body of people who has been faithful to Him. Throughout the ages, God has had men and women who have stood for the truth instead of error. In the last book of the Bible, we discover that in the final hours of earth’s history, God is going to have a body of believers whose faith is built on nothing else but the truth. In our last presentation, we studied about the harlot woman of Revelation 17. We studied about how this fallen church is dishing out her wine of false doctrines to the inhabitants of the world. We studied about the plea of God for His children to come out of this apostate system before it is too late. In this presentation, I want us to look at the plan of God for His children who leave the falsehood of Babylon the Great and her daughters.
Friends, God does not just call us out of Babylon without showing us what to do. When God calls us out, He also calls us in. You might ask: into what? Friends, God calls us out of the falsehood of Babylon into His true church, which is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27). In our previous study, we have already identified the false church and her daughters. Today, I want us to focus on the true church of God.
Friends, the true church of God is represented by a delicate comely woman in the book of Revelation. We have already studied in our previous lesson that a pure delicate woman represents the bride of Christ or the true church of God, so to speak (Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 2:2; Revelation 19:6). In Revelation Chapter 12, the apostle John is given a vision concerning this true church of God. In 17 verses, the beloved apostle traces for us the history of the Christian church from the time of Christ down to the day in which we live. In this chapter, the Lord gives us explicit identifying characteristics of His end-time church so any of His faithful children looking out for this church will not be misled.
Beloved, Revelation 12 is an interesting passage that pulls away the curtain for us to understand crucial issues in regard to the great controversy battle between Christ and Satan. Even though this chapter captures several issues in regard to the on-going battle between good and evil, I want us to focus on some identifying characteristics in the passage that bring to view the identity of God’s end-time people. We read from Revelation 12:1-6 and 17 the following: "12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
12:5 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.
12:6 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."
12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
(Revelation 12:1-6; 17)Beloved, from the first verse of the passage above, we see a pure delicate woman who is a symbol of God’s true church. This woman is clothed with the sun which represents the robe of Christ’s righteousness ( Revelation 19:7-8; Jeremiah 23:6). We are told that she also has the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of 12 stars. In symbolic language, the beloved apostle describes how the true church of God will stand on the promises of the Old Testament as they look forward to the coming Messiah. This church will also be guided by the pioneering work of the twelve apostles of Christ.
Thus friends, from the first verse of the passage in Revelation 12, the apostle John describes in a unique way the bride of Christ. As the apostle watched this pure woman in vision, he saw that this woman was pregnant with child and pained to be delivered (Revelation 12:2). Beloved, through the ages, the people of God have been expecting the coming of the Messiah, the seed of the woman who was to bruise the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the prophet Isaiah penned down these beautiful words in anticipation of the coming Messiah: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). Friends, the coming of the Messiah has been the prayer and desire of God’s people throughout the ages.
In the third verse of Revelation 12, the focus of the apostle is drawn from the woman to a great red dragon, which had seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. We are told by the apostle in verse four of Revelation 12 that the tail of this dragon drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Friends, the Bible makes it clear from this same passage of Revelation 12 that the great red dragon which is being described here is Satan. From Revelation 12:7-9, we read the following: "7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."Thus, in symbolic language, the apostle John describes in verse four of our key passage today how Satan was able to deceive one third of the angels in heaven to war against the government of God. These angels shared the fate of Satan when he was cast out of heaven. Friends, when Satan was cast out of heaven to the earth, he prepared himself to destroy the seed of the woman as soon as it was born; for he knew the prophecy that it was the seed of the woman who was to unleash the deadly bruise to his head (Genesis 3:15).
But friends, as we contemplate the message in verse 4 of Revelation 12, we ask ourselves: Who is this child that Satan tried to devour as soon as it was born? The answer to this question is quite obvious. Beloved, this child is no other person than our Saviour and Lord Christ Jesus. In the gospel of Matthew, we learn about how Satan worked through Herod, the governor of Judaea to destroy Christ as soon as He was born. The enmity that Satan had towards our Saviour was so great that he did not mind killing hundreds of babies in order to get the baby Jesus killed.
Verse 5 of Revelation 12 points out that the delicate woman brought forth a man child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Beloved, we once again discover from Scripture that it is Christ who is to rule all nations with a rod of iron. From Revelation 19:13-16, the apostle John writes concerning the second coming of Christ: "13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Capital Emphasis Added). Friends, it is Jesus Christ who shall smite the wicked at His second coming: and rule them with a rod of iron, so to speak, as He treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Friends, from the same verse 5 of Revelation 12 , we are told by the apostle John that the child of the delicate woman was caught up unto God, and to His throne. Beloved, we discover from Scripture that Christ Jesus was also caught up unto God, and His throne after his work of redemption for man was complete. After His death on the cross, He resurrected on the third day bringing untold agony into the kingdom of hell (1 Corinthians 15:4). Forty days after His resurrection, Christ ascended to His Father in heaven (Acts 1:3, 9-11). From Ephesians 1:20, we also read the following: "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places".
Friends, when Satan realised he has lost the battle with Christ, he directed his wrath towards the woman, the bride of Christ. From Revelation 12:13, we are told that the dragon persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child. Beloved, after the ascension of Christ, Satan tried to exterminate the young Christian church through diverse persecutions. He persecuted the young Christian church in Jerusalem till several of her members fled and were scattered abroad many strange nations. Later on, the devil employed the cruel hand of Pagan Rome to bring untold torture and pain to hundreds of God’s children. During the reign of pagan Rome, many Christians sealed their testimony with their blood as they were beheaded, fed to lions, tortured and left to die in secluded dungeons. Out of the twelve apostles of Christ, only one did not die a martyr’s death. The apostle Paul was beheaded outside the gates of Jerusalem.
But friends, as the persecution continued, Satan realised something. He saw that the more Christians were persecuted, the more their faith seemed to grow and the more their numbers increased. And so he decided to change his tactics. Satan decided to form his own kind of Christianity. In this new religion, it was his dream to mingle the truth with falsehood so as to confuse the majority. He will feed the people with his own form of doctrines and persecute all those who will want to stubbornly hold onto the pure teachings of Scripture.
From our previous studies, we have learnt that after the collapse of Pagan Rome, Papal Rome stood in her stead. We saw in our studies on Daniel 7 and Revelation 13, how the antichrist power; that is the Roman Catholic Church system persecuted millions of faithful Christians simply because they wanted to make the Bible the rule of their faith. For a time period of 1,260 years, several of God’s faithful children were burnt at the stakes, with thousands tortured and inhumanly massacred. Through the Papal system, Satan tried to blot out any form of pure Christianity. This period of Papal supremacy, beginning from 538 A. D. to 1798 is known in history as the dark ages. Satan tried to hold the masses in darkness by prohibiting the possession and reading of the Holy Bible.
Friends, the church of Christ suffered greatly when the Papal power ruled. And so it is not surprising that we read from the verse 6 of Revelation 12 the following: "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". Friends, during this period of 1,260 years of Papal supremacy, the true church of God fled into the wilderness. In the mountains, caves and catacombs of the earth, several of God’s faithful children found refuge. Here, in the remotest places of the earth, the pure teachings of Christ were kept alive. Thus beloved, in the wilderness for 1,260 years, God keeps alive His true church (Revelation 12:6; 13-14 ).
In 1798, as we come to the end of the 1,260 years, we discover that the Papal power receives a deadly wound ( Revelation 13:3) when pope Pius VI was captured by Alexander Berthier and sent to Valence, France where he died a prisoner. Friends, after 1798, which marked the end of the 1,260 years of Papal supremacy, we find the true church of God coming out of the wilderness because the persecution has stopped. After 1798, we find the true church of God come to view. Despite the devils attempt to destroy the true church and her pure teachings, God preserves a remnant who comes out of the wilderness with the undiluted gospel of Christ. This is the church that will stand in the last days against the falsehood of Satan’s counterfeit religious system. This church will open the eyes of the world to see clearly the confusion that Satan has wrought within the Christian world and other religions. This church of God will expose the antichrist power to the world; preach against the mark of the beast and other false doctrines that emanates from Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.
Friends, from Revelation 12:17, we read the following in regard to the true church of God as she comes out of the wilderness: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Beloved, as God’s true church comes out of the wilderness, we are told by the apostle John how Satan’s fierce anger is kindled against her. For a time span lasting for 1,260 years, the dragon has worked hard through the antichrist power (the Papacy) to stamp out God’s true church. However, after 1798, he realises that this pure church is still alive and he is just wroth with her. Satan then marshals all his efforts in a final attempt to eradicate the remnant of God’s true church which we are told; "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17).
Friends, as I stated earlier, the caption for our study today has been: a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet. The focus of our study has been to identify from Scripture the remnant church of God. With the background knowledge we have gained from our key passage in Revelation 12 coupled with some other Bible passages, we can deduce a couple of identifying points that will enable us to discover the identity of God’s true end-time church. At this point, I will want us to have a look at some of these identifying points we have gleaned in our study so far:
1. God’s end-time church arose after 1798 when the pure delicate woman emerged from the wilderness.
2. This church keeps the commandments of God (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12).
3. This church has the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:17). From Revelation 19:10, an angel interprets the testimony of Jesus as the spirit of prophecy. Friends, the gift of the prophets will be manifested in this church. This gift of prophecy will serve as a guiding light for God’s end-time church.
4. This church will be a remnant people (Revelation 12:17). It’s a continuation of the original apostolic church of Christ. However, this church is positioned at the end of time, giving the same message that God gave to the world with the early church. This church will preach righteousness by faith through Jesus Christ and will have the Scripture as the foundation of their faith.
5. God’s end-time movement will preach the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages (Revelation 14:6-12) to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ. Satan’s hatred against this church will know no bounds (Revelation 12:17) as this church goes forward with the pure gospel of Christ to expose his plans to deceive the world with the false wine of Babylon. Just imagine how Satan will feel about this church when at the time his plans are all set up to take over the dominion of this world, God has raised up a remnant of His original apostolic church and they are standing in his way.
6. God’s end-time movement will have a presence in the entire world. It will be a universal church. The reason for this characteristic is very simple. If you are to preach a worldwide message, then you must have a worldwide presence. From Matthew 24:14, we read the following from our Lord: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come". Friends, God’s end-time church will not be some small church at the corner of some street. It will be a universal church that will carry God’s final warning message to the world. At the end of the age, there will be only two universal churches; Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and her daughters and the remnant church of God.
Friends, I believe at this time many of you are anxious to find out who this true end-time church of God is. The million dollar question that I believe is on the lips of many of you is this: is there a church in our world today that fits these identifying marks? Beloved, if you do a study into this topic by comparing the various Christian denominations in our world today with the identifying marks we have outlined from Scripture so far, you’ll come to the conclusion that there is only one church in the whole world that meets the six identifying characteristics above.
Beloved, I’m not going to tell you what denomination represents this end-time church of God. However, I’m going to allow the false church to tell you which denomination they believe represents the true church of God. Friends, back in the late 1800’s, the Roman Catholic Church came out with a document that had the title: Rome’s Challenge. In this book was a challenge to the protestant denominations of the world. The Catholic Church accused Protestants of making false claim to the word Sola Scriptura. According to them, even though many of these Protestants alluded to the Bible and the Bible alone as the rule of their faith, yet they were hanging on to all of their doctrines. Friends, the Catholic Church plainly tells you in the little book of Rome’s Challenge that there is only one Protestant denomination that follows the Bible and the Bible alone. In Rome’s Challenge the Catholic Church tells the world that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only true Protestant Church because they are the only ones that follow the Bible and the Bible alone. The rest, they say are still holding on to Catholic doctrines.
Friends, in 1995, from the Saint Catherine Catholic Church Sentinel May 21, 1995 we read the following clear words that affirms the Catholic Church’s position in the document of Rome’s Challenge: "Perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the church ever did happened in the first century. The Holy day, the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday... not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the churches sense of its own power. People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become Seventh-day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy."
Beloved, from the Roman Catholic Church system, which is actually the antichrist power of Bible prophecy, we learn that the only church that is following the Bible and the Bible alone is the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They tell the whole world that if you want to be true to the Bible then you must logically join the Seventh-day Adventist Church. But friends, is the Seventh-day Adventist Church the true bride of Christ? Is this church the true end-time movement of God?
There are two reasons why I believe the Seventh - day Adventist is the remnant church of God. The first reason is the well-examined position of no mean a church than the Catholic Church. The second and stronger reason is that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only denomination on the face of the world that meets all the identifying characteristics we have outlined in our study today. I will want us to take some time now to ascertain whether the Seventh-day Adventist Church actually meets all the six identifying marks we have outlined in our study so far:
1. The remnant church will arise after 1798. Friends, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was established after 1798. Precisely, in 1863 we find this church come to view.
2. God’s end-time church will keep His commandments (Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12). Friends, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only worldwide denomination that keeps the commandments of God. This church keeps all ten of God’s commandments which includes the Seventh - day Sabbath. Of course, there are other denominations that keep Saturday as their Sabbath but these denominations are minority or local organizations without a worldwide presence. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only worldwide organisation that keeps all ten of God’s holy law.
3. God’s end-time church must have the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 12:17), which is the spirit of prophecy ( Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:8-9). Friends, the gift of the prophets was manifested in the Seventh - day Adventist church through the prophetic ministry of Ellen. G. White. Over a period of 70 years, God gave this woman approximately 2000 visions and prophetic dreams. The material that she wrote fills more than 80 books, 200 tracts and pamphlets and 4,600 periodical articles. Her book, "The Desire of Ages" has been acclaimed as one of the most spiritual treatises ever written on the life of Christ. Her most widely distributed book, "Steps to Christ", translated into over 100 languages has led millions to a deep relationship with Christ. The book that she wished was circulated more than any other, "The Great Controversy", has led many to a deeper understanding of the conflict between good and evil. Researchers such as Roger L. Dudley and Des Cummings, Jr. found in their study among Adventists that those who regularly read Ellen White Books have a closer relationship with Christ, become more certain of their standing with God, and are more likely to have identified their spiritual gifts. They are more in favour of spending for public evangelism and contribute more heavily to local missionary projects. They feel more prepared for witnessing and actually engage in more witnessing and outreach programmes. Her readers are more likely to study their Bible daily and pray for specific people. All who got acquainted with her testified of her humility and godly principles; behaviour and character. As all the prophets of God, she was not immune to sin but strived to please her Lord. The enemy of souls has raised several critics to diffuse the effect of the prophetic work of this woman but her influence is still strongly felt around in several areas such as education, health, nutrition and theology. The best proof that convinces me that she was really a prophet of God is her books. Just read her books and you will have no question about her prophetic gift. Ellen Gould White: wife, mother, writer, counsellor, God’s messenger. Chosen while still the weakest of the weak, she became a tower of strength to a group of people called by God in the last days of this world’s history - The Seventh-day Adventist Church.
(Keepers of the Flame - "Weakest of the Weak" ; Roger L. Dudley and Des Cummings, Jr., "A Comparison of the Christian Attitudes and Behaviours Between Those Adventist Church Members Who Regularly Read Ellen White Books and Those Who Do Not," 1982, pp. 41, 42.)
4. God’s end-time church will be a remnant people (Revelation 12:17 ). This church will be a continuation of the original apostolic church of Christ. However, she is positioned at the end of time, giving the same message that God gave to the world with the early church. Friends, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has proven to be God’s end-time remnant church. She preaches the same message as the original apostolic church of Christ. This church holds on to the Bible and the Bible alone. In other words, all her foundational teachings agree with the Bible.
5. The remnant church of God will preach the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages. But beloved, you might ask: what are the three angels' messages that this church will preach to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ? My dear friend, this message is found in Revelation 14:6-12 as follows: "14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
(Revelation 14:6-12)Friends, the remnant church will preach this everlasting gospel and the three angels' messages contained in them. This point knocks out every other denomination on the face of the earth except the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only denomination that is preaching to the world today that God’s judgement hour has begun way back in 1844. The Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only worldwide denomination that is calling the world to leave the false doctrines of Mystery Babylon and her daughters. Friends, as difficult as it can sometimes be, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only worldwide denomination that preaches the third angel’s message today; warning the world who the antichrist power is and the fact that Sunday worship is the mark of the beast. Beloved, have you ever wondered why you never hear anything about the three angels messages in your church? I know that for many of you this is the first time you are exposed to a message like this. But friends, if we go back into history about 100 years ago, every Protestant denomination taught that the antichrist of Bible prophecy was the Roman Catholic Church system. Now, about 100 years later, today, where we live, only one church teaches that the antichrist of Bible prophecy is the Roman Catholic Church system. The rest have become drunk with the false wine of Catholicism, and thus deceived into thinking that the antichrist power is yet to appear somewhere in the future while this power is craftily making her way to the top. At a time in the history of our world, when almost every Protestant denomination is preaching that God’s Ten Commandment law is no longer binding upon God’s children, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is called to present a different message. For the beloved apostle solemnly declares in Revelation 14:12 concerning God’s end-time people: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS" (Capital Emphasis Added). Friends, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the only worldwide denomination that is running with this message and calling back the world to keep all of God’s commandments including the Seventh - day Sabbath which is actually the sign of God’s creatorship. Beloved, despite the pressure of religious ecumenism that is growing stronger everyday, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has continued to tell the world the politically incorrect message borne by the three angels of Revelation 14:6-12.
6. The last but not the least identifying mark is that God’s end-time church will have a presence in the entire world. This characteristic is necessary to enable the church to carry forward the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages to the whole world. Friends, once again we find that the Seventh-day Adventist Church fulfils this identifying characteristic of the remnant church of God. It is interesting to note that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is well established in several countries in our world today than any other Christian denomination. Beloved, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is well established in 216 out of the 238 countries recognised by the United Nations. The church utilises over 914 languages in her Publications and oral work. This I believe is not just coincidence, but rather a special plan of God to reach the entire world with the everlasting gospel and the three angels' messages linked with this gospel. Friends, through the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the three angels’ messages are going forth to the world. Thousands across the globe are responding to this end-time message of God and great numbers are coming out from the falsehood of Babylon and are aligning themselves not so much to a denomination, but rather to the truth as found in the Word of God. Friends, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has become one of the fastest growing Christian denominations in the world today; with about five new congregations opening daily. There is an average of about 3,000 people that are being added to the church each day as I write this unto you. There are over 20 million people that now worship in Adventist churches worldwide. Friends, the Adventist church run hundreds of schools and colleges, hospitals and other health centres, publishing houses, as well as numerous television and radio stations across the world; all in an effort to prepare the world for the soon coming of Jesus.
Beloved, in the final hours of earth’s history, there are going to be just two churches: Babylon the Great and her daughters, and the remnant church of God. And God’s warning in regard to His children in Babylon is still the same: "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). God has many of His dear children in Babylon. He loves them and so He bids them to come out of this apostate system before it’s too late.
My dear friend, you might just be one of God’s faithful children in Babylon. I know you have been deeply challenged by this message. The call to come out might not be an easy one for you. But this call is God’s final call of mercy to you. It’s possible you might have been brought up in Roman Catholicism or any of her apostate daughters; and you are silently asking yourself some of these questions: How can I leave when everyone I love is there? You might be wondering: how can I change all my belief systems and embrace a new way of life? You might be wondering: "How can I change from worshiping on Sunday to Saturday?" Friends, these are genuine questions you might ponder on, but I will encourage you to make these changes one step at a time by first surrendering all your heart to Jesus. I will encourage you to pray for the Spirit of God to lead you as you contemplate on these issues.
My beloved friend, if you ever decide to align yourself with God’s remnant church, the doors will be wide opened to welcome you. Now, when you step into this true end-time church of God, you might not find it a better organisation than your former church. You might not find it a perfect church. You are going to realise that just like any other church; this church also has her good and bad people. However, you are also going to find out that it’s the only church that still holds on to the Bible and the Bible alone. You are going to find out for yourself as I discovered some years back that the Seventh - day Adventist church is the church of the Living God, the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Please don’t get me wrong, beloved; I’m not by these statements above trying to make the point that only Seventh-day Adventists are going to make it to heaven. In fact, I believe that all denominations are going to be represented in heaven. But then God is going to judge each one of us based on the truth that He has revealed unto us. From Acts 17:30, we read the following from the disciple Luke: "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent". Friends, God reveals sacred truth to His children one bit at a time. And when His truth is revealed and made clear, He expects the recipients of His grace to follow the light that He has shed on His Word. My good friend, God is counting on you to take a stand with His end-time people. He is counting on you to come into His church and utilise the gifts and talents He has bestowed on you to help spread the everlasting gospel and the three angels’ messages contained in them so that Jesus will come. You see, my friend, after going through these series, you may not have an excuse for God as to why you kept on disobeying His Commandments, particularly the Sabbath. The Lord is calling on you, friend; to make this important decision today.
As I stated earlier, it is important for you to remember that Satan hates the remnant church (Revelation 12:17); and he will do everything in his power to discourage you from being a member of this true church of God. For some of you, I know your decision to join God’s remnant church will make you an enemy in your own home; some of you are going to lose your friends and loved ones; some of you will lose your jobs; and for some of you, opportunities that were once opened unto you will be closed. But friends, if you step out in faith to obey the Lord no matter the circumstances, Christ’s assurance to His disciples: "I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20), will also be your portion. The apostle Peter once asked Christ: "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?" And Jesus said unto them … And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life" (Matthew 19:27-29).
Exhortation: Christ once said: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:16 ). My dear friend, do you hear the voice of Christ calling you today? Do you sense the still small voice of the Holy Spirit encouraging you to leave Babylon and her daughters and join the fold of God where Christ is the True Shepherd? If this has been your experience, if this is your prayer, why don’t you ask God for strength to enable you make this important decision today?
FURTHER STUDY: For a further study on this topic please download the video presentation: "In Search of the True Church" on YouTube by Tony Rykers. I highly recommend this presentation from which has been utilised a lot of beautiful insights and information in this study. Besides the topic above, you can also download on YouTube his full series on Bible Prophecy captioned: "The Final Events of Bible Prophecy".
In our next study, we will consider the last topic in our Bible Prophecy Series dubbed: The Final Events of Bible Prophecy. The caption for this study is: Countdown to Armageddon: Survivors of the War Behind all Wars. The key Bible study references for this study are found in Revelation 13:13-15, Revelation 7:1-3, Revelation 16:1-21 and Revelation 19:1-21. Please do well to go through these study references before the next study is released.
Stay tuned and don’t miss this upcoming inspirational presentation. May the Lord bless you and keep shining for King Jesus.
Maranatha!
Powered by White Throne Ministries
