Category: Close of Probation

Categories
Close of Probation Judgment Prophecy

Three Comings of Christ

Three Comings Of Christ And Marriage Of The Lamb
THERE are three separate positions taken in regard to the advent of Christ;

1st, He comes to judge the world (began on Oct 22, 1844- Dan 8:14 sanctuary cleansed);
2nd, He comes as a thief (close of probation Matt 24/ Mark 13);
3rd, He comes to take His people to heaven (2nd Coming in the clouds).

There is truth in each position, for they do not relate to the same event but to three separate events which take place in their order.
1. Coming Of Judgment, Or Going To The Marriage
Hiram Edson’s view of Christ entering into the Most Holy Place Oct 22, 1844 (Daniel 8:14)
Today, Christ is completing his mediatorial work of judgment before the ark (containing law of God by which mankind will be judged) in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary which began in 1844 and will close when the signal of Daniel 11:45 is fulfilled; then the plagues will be poured out upon the wicked and the righteous will find refuge under the protection of His wings.
Mal. 3:1-5. Christ will suddenly come to judgment.
Dan. 7:9, 10, 13, 14; Matt. 25:10. Christ went to the marriage when He went to the judgment. G.C. 427.

Rev. 21:9, 10. The New Jerusalem, the bride.

Isa. 62:4. The land is married, becomes the bride.

2 Cor. 11:2; Isa. 54:5; Eph. 5:23. The church is the bride. Christ is married to the city, the land, and the church.

Dan. 7:13, 14. Christ brought before the Father to receive His kingdom. It takes four things to make a kingdom: viz., territory, people, capital, or seat of government, and a king. The giving of the city, people and land to Christ, the King, constitutes the marriage.

Luke 19:12. Christ has gone into a far country to receive a kingdom. T., v. 8, p. 37.

Dan. 7:9, 10. Judgment precedes the marriage, as it must be determined who are the subjects of the kingdom before they are given to Christ. G.C. 428.

Matt. 22:2, 8-14. The judgment is compared to the examination of wedding garments. G.C. 427.

Matt. 25:1-10. All that are ready will have on the wedding garment. C.O.L. 406, 407.

Rev. 19:7, 8. The necessary garment is the white robe of righteousness. Isa. 61:10. The garments are provided; guests have only to accept them. Rev. 3:5. They are given to the overcomers.

2. Coming As A Thief, Or The Marriage

When Islam (Dan 11:45) invades Jerusalem, that is our signal that probation is closing (Dan 12:1)
Today, Christ is completing his mediatorial work of judgment before the ark (containing law of God to which mankind will be judged) in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary which began in 1844 and will close (PROBATION CLOSES) when the signal of Daniel 11:45 is fulfilled; THEN the 7 last plagues will be poured out upon the wicked and the righteous will be hid under the protection of His wings.

Matt. 24:42-44. One coming of the Lord is compared to a thief; no one knows when a thief comes until after he has done his work and gone. T., v. 6, p. 129; v. 9, p. 135.

Dan. 7:13, 14; Rev. 22:11, 12. When the judgment closes and Christ receives the kingdom, the decree is given which forever determines the destiny of every soul on earth. But he comes as a thief; none know when they pass the line which forever closes probation. G.C. 491; T., v. 2, pp. 190-193.

Rev. 8:5. Christ then throws down His censer and ceases to be a mediator, or priest. T., v. 2, p. 691.

1 Thess. 5:2. This event is also spoken of as the coming of the day of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:10. During the “day of the Lord,” the judgments of God fall upon the earth.

Rev. 14:10. At that time the unmixed wrath of God is poured out.

Hab. 3:2. Previous to this time mercy is mingled with all the judgments of God. E.W. 281.

Ps. 75:7, 8. The wicked drink the dregs.

Heb. 11:16. Christ has prepared the city.

Dan. 7:13, 14. The city and subjects are all ready when the kingdom is given to Christ, but the land is still occupied by the enemy.
(This is an interesting statement regarding the land. And this is because Satan will still be the occupant of the land for 1000 years until the time when Christ completes the ATONEMENT by finally destroying sin, sinners and Satan once and for all at the end of the 1000 years…. THEN Christ and His saints will inherit the land (heavenly Canan) of which was originally promised to Abraham.) see EW 295 & Mal. 4:1-3

Matthew 24 parable of fig tree w/ SOP quotes
“The great truth of Christ’s second coming is ever to be kept before the church. “Let your loins be girded about,” we are admonished, “and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants…. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh (close of probation) at an hour when ye think not.” {RH November 13, 1913, par. 3}
Because we do not know the exact hour of Christ’s coming, we are commanded to watch. “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching.” Those who watch for the Lord’s return do not wait in idle expectancy. They purify their hearts by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they unite earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door (of the sanctuary), their zeal is quickened to cooperate with divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants, who give to the Lord’s household their portion of meat in due season. They are declaring the truth that is now specially applicable. As Enoch, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for his time, so will Christ’s servants now give the special warning for their generation. {RH November 13, 1913, par. 4}
Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord. Readiness to meet him cannot be attained in a moment’s time. Preparatory to that solemn scene there must be vigilant waiting and watching, combined with earnest work. So God’s children glorify him. Amid the busy scenes of life their voices will be heard speaking words of encouragement, faith, and hope. All they have and are is consecrated to the Master’s service. {RH November 13, 1913, par. 5}
But like the dwellers in Sodom, those who refuse to serve God will be awakened only when it is too late. As the sun rose for the last time upon the cities of the plain, the people thought to begin another day of godless riot. All were eagerly planning their business or their pleasure, and the messenger of God was derided for his fears and his warnings. Suddenly as a peal of thunder from an unclouded sky fell balls of fire on the doomed capital. {RH November 13, 1913, par. 6}
“So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” The people will be eating and drinking, planting and building, marrying and giving in marriage, until the wrath of God shall be poured out without mixture of mercy. Men have been taught by their ministers to believe that the coming of Christ is to be spiritual, or is to take place in the distant future, and the message of his soon return has been denounced as fanaticism or heresy. Skepticism and “science falsely so called” have undermined faith in the Bible. The multitudes are striving to forget God, and they eagerly accept fables, that they may pursue the path of self-indulgence undisturbed. The people are hurrying to and fro, the lovers of pleasure intent upon amusement, the money-makers seeking wealth; and all are saying, Where is the promise of his coming? {RH November 13, 1913, par. 7}
The Jews misinterpreted and misapplied the Word of God, and they knew not the time of their visitation. The years of the ministry of Christ and his apostles—the precious last years of grace to the chosen people—they spent in plotting the destruction of the Lord’s messengers. Earthly ambitions absorbed them, and the offer of the spiritual kingdom came to them in vain. So today the kingdom of this world absorbs men’s thoughts, and there are few who take heed to the rapidly fulfilling prophecies, and the tokens of the swift-coming kingdom of God.” {RH November 13, 1913, par. 8}

“If left to the care of those who, while professing allegiance to God, know not the time of their visitation (close of probation- Matt 24/ Mark 13/ Islam on the scene), the light of the candle (see Rev18:23), or church, will go out in darkness. He who is a true watchman in this time of peril will work with tireless vigilance. He will keep faithfully the courts of the Lord’s house.”
{23LtMs, Lt 4, 1908, par. 10}

3. Christ Coming For His People, Or Coming From The Wedding

2nd Coming of Christ for His bride (church).
We will sit down with Jesus at the heavenly banquet.

Luke 19:15. After having received the kingdom Christ returns to the earth. E.W. 251, 280.

Luke 12:35-37. This is also called returning from the wedding.

Matt. 13:38-41. Having received the kingdom, He comes to set it in order, and remove all trace of sin. E.W. 55.

Rev. 19:16. Christ comes in kingly robes.

Rev. 20:1-9. It takes over 1000 years to destroy the last race of sin from the earth.

Rev. 20:4. During this time the saints are with Christ.

1 Thess. 4:16. When Christ comes for His people, He remains in the clouds. E.W. 286, 287.

Zech. 14:4. At the end of 1000 years His feet will touch on the Mount of Olives, and the work of purifying the earth begins. E.W. 291.

Rev. 21:9, 10. The city descends.

Rev. 20:9. Fire from God devours the wicked. E.W. 294.

2 Peter 3:7-13. The same fire purifies the earth.

2 Peter 3:5-7. As the earth was once cleansed from sin by water, so it will again be cleansed by fire.

Nahum 1:9. Sin arose again after the flood; but after the fires have done their work, it will never rise up again a second time.

Isa. 33:14, 15; Gen. 8:1. As Noah rode in safety on the waters of the flood, so the righteous in the city of God will dwell safely in the midst of the fire. G.C. 673.

Isa. 35:1-10. Earth purified,–clad in wedding garments. Rev. 19:9. Then will come the marriage supper. E.W. 19. Luke 12:37. Christ Himself will serve.

(study texts/ references extracted from S. N. Haskell’s 1919 Bible Handbook, “Three Comings of Christ and the Marriage of the Lamb” p. 21-24)



Categories
Close of Probation Prophecy Truth verses Error

Most Fatal Last Deception to Come Upon God’s People

“Would it not be well for us to go under the fig-tree to plead with God as to what is truth?”
{RH Feb., 18, 1890.21}

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.”
{RH January 21, 1873, par. 11}

“And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.”
{RH August 17, 1905, par. 5}

“A similar work will be accomplished when that other angel, represented in [Rev 18:1], gives his message. The first, second, and third angels’ messages will be repeated (of Rev 14). The call will be given to the church, “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” [Rev 18: 4.]  [Rev 18: 2-5 quoted]. Take each verse of this chapter, and read it carefully, especially the last two: “And the light of [a] candle (Adventists) shall shine no more in thee… [Rev 18:23 & 24 quoted]. The parable of the ten virgins (SDA’s) was given by Christ Himself, and every specification should be carefully studied. A time will come when the door will be shut (probation will close- Matt 24/ Mark 13). We (SDA’s) are represented either by the wise orthe foolish virgins.We(SDA’s) cannot now distinguish, nor have we authority to say who are wise and who foolish. There are those who hold the truth in unrighteousness, and these appear just like the wise.”
{Ms92a-1898.11-14} (italicized parenthesis added)
“If left to the care of those who, while professing allegiance to God, know not the time of their visitation (close of probation- Matt 24/ Mark 13/ Islam on the scene), the light of the candle (see Rev18:23), or church, will go out in darkness. He who is a true watchman in this time of peril will work with tireless vigilance. He will keep faithfully the courts of the Lord’s house.”
{23LtMs, Lt 4, 1908, par. 10} (italicized parenthesis added)
Fig Tree_Most Fatal Last Deception

The Barren Fig-Tree

The treatment of the barren fig-tree by the Saviour of the world, shows how all pretenders to godliness will be treated. He pronounced upon it his withering curse, and left it seared and sapless, rejected by God. This tree represents the Jews, who refused to respond to the love of Christ. Despite all the privileges and opportunities granted them, they brought forth only briers and thorns,—no fruit to the glory of God. This blighted tree was a parable to the house of Israel,—a most impressive lesson. It is also a lesson to the professed followers of Christ in every age. Reaching through all time, it speaks in unmistakable language to all formalists and boasters of godliness who stand forth to the world with high profession, but are utterly devoid of that vital piety which alone God recognizes as fruit.
There is a decided lack of piety among us as a people. The true burden of the work for the salvation of souls does not rest upon us as it should. Like the barren fig-tree, many flaunt their foliage-covered branches before the Lord, proudly claiming to be his commandment-keeping people, while the heart-searching God finds them destitute of fruit.
We boast of our advancement in the truth; but our works do not correspond with our profession. We are sadly deficient in spirit, energy, and life. Leaf-covered trees are plenty, but they are destitute of fruit. The fearful condition of lukewarmness and unfaithfulness which would exist in the last days was described by the great apostle in these words:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come; for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.”
We learn from the Sacred Record that this tree, upon which hung not a redeeming cluster of fruit, was clothed with green foliage. Notice the words. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” The doom of the fruitless fig-tree has an application to individual professors who manifest the natural tendencies of the unrenewed heart, and contradict their faith by their daily life. They do not represent to the world the character of Christ, because they have not Christ in them.
Our Saviour never turned away from the truly penitent, no matter how great their guilt. But he hates all hypocrisy and vain display. He addressed with the most severe and unqualified reproof the Pharisees and hypocrites represented by the fig-tree covered with green foliage, but destitute of fruit.
Fruitless professors, sad indeed is your fate; for the open sinner stands in a more favorable position in the sight of God. The blight of God’s curse is upon that class who hide the deformity of their lives under a profession of godliness. John, that bold, undaunted reprover of sin, who came to prepare the way for Christ’s first advent, thus addressed the multitude that flocked to hear him: “Therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” Terrible words! And as we see the many who profess to be God’s commandment-keeping people, whose lives show that they do not the will of our Father which is in Heaven, we can come to only one conclusion,—that in the doom of the fig-tree which bore no fruit, and upon which fell the withering curse of God, they may read their own fate.
The compassion and tender love of Jesus for those for whom he died, is without parallel. But when his love and mercy are insulted, when his life and example are misrepresented by those professing to be his followers, severe retribution will surely follow. Christ has bought man with an infinite price. Soul, body, and spirit,—all that constitutes the man,—is the rightful property of our Saviour; and when he sees the body, the temple of the soul, defiled and degraded by indulgence of appetite and lustful passion, and the heart polluted and defiled by sin,—when he sees the soul which was the purchase of his blood, proving a curse rather than a blessing to the world, he dooms it as he did the fig-tree, and it becomes a fearful monument of his righteousness and avenging wrath.
Jesus is wounded and insulted by his professed followers whose unconsecrated lives disgrace their profession. He would purify the temple courts of the soul; but if his efforts to warn and reprove are not heeded, his forbearance and compassion will be changed to severity and judgment. {RH January 11, 1881}

John Bell letter
Matthew 24 w/ sop Quotes
“it is not for you to know the times or seasons”

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Categories
Close of Probation Prophecy

A Controversy to Consider

A Controversy to Consider
by Vinnie Giambone

Why Is There So Much Trouble in the World Today?

“Where is God ” Doesn’t He see what is going on? Why is He so silent?

Hosea

4:1    Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because [there is] no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 

 4:2  By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. 

 4:3  Therefore shall the land mourn, and everyone that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Cause of the Sinner’s Destruction and the Blessed Hope

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. 1 Peter 4:17-19 ” For the wages of sin is death “.  Romans 6:23 ” The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekeil 18.4 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power! 2 Thessalonians 1:9 ” “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:18-20

 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. 4 None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.” Isaiah 59:2-4 “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. 9 Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.” Isaiah 64:6-9 “Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. 26 For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. 27 As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore, they are become great, and waxen rich. 28 They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. 29 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? 30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Jeremiah 5:25-31 Except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish”. Luke 13:3 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 2 Peter 2:12

Romans 1:18-32

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 

 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 

 26 For this cause, God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 

 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 

 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 

 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 

 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 

 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 

 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.  Romans 1:19-32

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth and grow up as calves of the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. 4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.  Malachi 4:1-6

Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John 5: 25-29

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev. 21:8 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:7 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 2 Peter 3:12-14

Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. 11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 1:9-12 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matt. 13:41-43 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:17-18

Categories
Christian Duty Close of Probation

Sacrifice Required from Waiting/ Watching Ones

Sacrifice that is required from the waiting, watching ones