“The Time Of Jacob’s Trouble” 09/21

Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7.

I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus’ work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues. These plagues enraged the wicked against the righteous; they thought that we had brought the judgments of God upon them, and that if they could rid the earth of us, the plagues would then be stayed. A decree went forth to slay the saints, which caused them to cry day and night for deliverance. This was the time of Jacob’s trouble.

As Satan influenced Esau to march against Jacob, so he will stir up the wicked to destroy God’s people in the time of trouble. And as he accused Jacob, he will urge his accusations against the people of God. He numbers the world as his subjects; but the little company who keep the commandments of God are resisting his supremacy. If he could blot them from the earth, his triumph would be complete. He sees that holy angels are guarding them, and he infers that their sins have been pardoned; but he does not know that their cases have been decided in the sanctuary above. He has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit, and he presents these before God in the most exaggerated light, representing this people to be just as deserving as himself of exclusion from the favor of God. He declares that the Lord cannot in justice forgive their sins and yet destroy him and his angels. He claims them as his prey and demands that they be given into his hands to destroy.

As Satan accuses the people of God on account of their sins, the Lord permits him to try them to the uttermost. Their confidence in God, their faith and firmness, will be severely tested. As they review the past, their hopes sink; for in their whole lives they can see little good. They are fully conscious of their weakness and unworthiness. Satan endeavors to terrify them with the thought that their cases are hopeless, that the stain of their defilement will never be washed away. He hopes so to destroy their faith that they will yield to his temptations and turn from their allegiance to God.

From “Maranatha”, by Ellen White

“Salvation Day By Day” 08/16

Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12.

Peter’s fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Self-confidence led him to the belief that he was saved, and step after step was taken in the downward path, until he could deny his Master. Never can we safely put confidence in self or feel, this side of heaven, that we are secure against temptation. Those who accept the Saviour, however sincere their conversion, should never be taught to say or to feel that they are saved. This is misleading. Every one should be taught to cherish hope and faith; but even when we give ourselves to Christ and know that He accepts us, we are not beyond the reach of temptation…. Only he who endures the trial will receive the crown of life (James 1:12).

Those who accept Christ, and in their first confidence say, I am saved, are in danger of trusting to themselves…. We are admonished, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). Our only safety is in constant distrust of self, and dependence on Christ.

There are many who profess Christ, but who never become mature Christians. They admit that man is fallen, that his faculties are weakened, that he is unfitted for moral achievement, but they say that Christ has borne all the burden, all the suffering, all the self-denial, and they are willing to let Him bear it. They say that there is nothing for them to do but to believe; but Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24)….

We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make advancement, saying, “I am saved.” When this idea is entertained, the motives for watchfulness, for prayer, for earnest endeavor to press onward to higher attainments, cease to exist. No sanctified tongue will be found uttering these words till Christ shall come, and we enter in through the gates into the city of God. Then, with the utmost propriety, we may give glory to God and to the Lamb for eternal deliverance.

From “Maranatha”, by Ellen White

Note: This devotion is talking about presumption. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, you can believe that you are saved at that moment. The author was speaking about a faith where a person believes that they are saved no matter what they do or how they live. This kind of faith is not biblical. To remain being saved by God’s grace you must continually hold on to Christ’s hand and depend on Him to give you victory over besetting sins. Jesus said in the Holy Word, “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13 NKJV).

“High Time To Awake!” 07/31

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:11, 12.

The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.

This knowledge of the nearness of Christ’s coming should not be allowed to lose its force, and we become careless and inattentive, and fall into slumber—into an insensibility and indifference to realities. In slumber we are in an unreal world, and not sensible of the things which are taking place around us….

There are those who have the blazing light of truth shining all around them, and yet are insensible to it. They are enchanted by the enemy, held under a spell by his bewitching power. They are not preparing for that great day which is soon to come to our world. They seem utterly insensible to religious truth.

Are there not some youth who are awake? Those who see that the night cometh, and also the morning, should work with untiring energy to arouse their sleeping associates. Can they not feel their peril, pray for them, and show them by their own life and character that they believe themselves that Christ is soon to come? … The rapidly diminishing space of time between us and eternity should more deeply impress us. Every day that passes makes one less left us to complete our work of perfecting character….

As long as there are many asleep, many sporting away the precious hours in careless indifference, as it were, upon the very brink of the eternal world, those who do believe must be sober, must be awake, must be earnest and diligent, and watch unto prayer….

Have you, dear youth, your lamps trimmed and burning?

From “Maranatha”, by Ellen White

“Karen The Lightbearer: Faith VS Doubt” Part Nine

Billy wasn’t there to see Eddy. He was in solitary confinement due to his outbursts and refusal to work. He was so brokenhearted about Sally that he just didn’t care anymore. He thought about him and his girlfriend when they were kids and it hurt him so much to think that he would never see her again.

“Dear Master, life is so unbearable without her! I can’t bear this!” he prayed as he sobbed greatly.

After crying for hours he went to sleep on the cold stone floor. He dreamed of the happy times of Small Faith. He saw his people doing their appointed tasks with joy and heard little children laughing. Such beautiful memories. Then images of the Natives of Doubt attacking them appeared in his dream. He moaned and cried aloud: “No! Dear Master, no! Help us! Please!” Billy then woke up and shuddered. He remembered seeing the children being torn away from their parents and the mothers and fathers begging for mercy before they were forced to slave labor. The attack was truly a nightmare for them! Billy still believed that the Small Faith People would be free someday. He didn’t care if he was freed or not, but he hoped for the sake of his people that their deliverance would come speedily.

“I wonder how long they’ll keep me in this cell?” Billy said to himself. “Maybe they’ll kill me like they did Sally. If that happens at least I won’t have to go through life without her. Perhaps we will wake up together when the Good King returns. That would be so wonderful!”

Billy then got up from the floor and stood up. He gazed at the walls around him and started to recite stories of the Good King from the Holy Word that he had kept in his heart. He began to feel encouraged and decided to believe that whatever plan His Majesty had in mind for him, even if it meant going on without his girlfriend, it was going to be all right.

*******

Karen and Eddy were forced to join the slaves in their labors. Karen was with the women who mended the shoes and clothing; and Eddy was with the men who were working in the gardens. Though they had to suffer along with those they were sent to help, the Lightbearers didn’t complain or grumble. They knew that the Good King was in control. And whenever He was in control, good always came out of it.

The slaves were comforted at having the Lightbearers with them. The presence of the two reminded them that the Good King was still with them. The Light of Truth shined brightly from the Lanterns as the Lightbearers labored, which made those who were in charge of the slaves so uncomfortable that they didn’t strike out or lash out at them. For once the Small Faith People were able to work without fear of being beaten up by their oppressors.

When the day was over the slaves were forced back into their rooms. The guards were greatly annoyed because the little people’s countenances were radiated with joy instead of sadness and dread. How could they be so happy when they were still in bondage? The guards hoped that tomorrow they would come to their senses and the sickly smiles would leave their faces.

In the room where the female slaves were Karen sang some songs that she had learned on her adventures. The little women sang along with her. Then they took turns sharing stories from the Holy Word. Karen listened with amazement because though they didn’t have the Holy Word with them their memory of the scriptures was so sharp that it was like they were actually reading them. Oh, to be blessed with the ability to memorize the sacred writings like that! Karen thought as she sighed. The little women then asked Karen if she had a story from the Holy Word to share.

“I’m afraid my memory isn’t as good as yours,” she said chuckling. “But I can share with you a story from my Lantern. The one that I like the best is when the Good King walked on the water. Would you like me to share that one?”

“Oh, yes! Please tell us!” said the little women eagerly.  So Karen shared the story with them by using the Lantern. As she read the words that appeared in the glass a huge beam of Light shot out and formed a glowing screen on the wall of the prison. The little women watched in amazement as the scene was being acted out before them. They cheered when they saw the Good King walk on the water toward a boat that was being tossed by the waves of the sea. In the boat were His disciples who were trying to row out of the storm. When the disciples saw the Good King they became very scared and thought that a ghost was coming to get them. But when He spoke to them, they calmed down because they recognized Him. When Peter got out of the boat he started to walk on the water toward the Good King. But when he doubted he began to sink. After crying to the Good King for help, He pulled him out of the water and helped him back into the boat.

When the story was over and the glowing screen disappeared, the little women discussed among themselves what they heard and saw. It was like the Good King was telling them through the story to not give into their enemies and to keep looking to Him. They would be able to walk above their trials and not sink into them as long as they kept believing in His Majesty. They asked Karen to pray for them and the teenage girl gladly did so.

A guard saw that the slaves were still up and forced them to go to bed. The little women hastened to obey. When they were all asleep in their stone hard beds, Karen quietly got out of her bed and tip toed to the stone door. Her eyes widened as it opened before her, as if by an unseen hand, and she looked out. The guards were not in sight. She carefully left the room and walked down the hallway. Though there were lighted torches on the wall it was very dark for Karen. She was glad that she had her Lantern to help her to see where she was going. As she continued walking on the stone floor she tried to find the room where the other slaves were. She wanted to make sure that her little buddy, Eddy was all right. She then saw a room where a little woman was sleeping. She carefully walked into the room. She got up close to the bed and looked at her. The poor thing had bruises on her. The Holy Spirit impressed Karen to touch her head with her hand and pray for her. Karen obeyed. As she prayed for her the little woman woke up. When she saw the smiling young girl gazing down at her she knew that she was face to face with a servant of the Good King.

“I can see that you have been sent by our good and loving Master,” said the little woman smiling back. “Who are you, dear?”

The teenage girl answered gently, “I’m Karen The Lightbearer.”

To Be Continued.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A View Of The Shaking” 07/12

For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel. Ezekiel 38:19.

I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads….

Evil angels crowded around, pressing darkness upon them to shut out Jesus from their view, that their eyes might be drawn to the darkness that surrounded them, and thus they be led to distrust God and murmur against Him. Their only safety was in keeping their eyes directed upward. Angels of God had charge over His people, and as the poisonous atmosphere of evil angels was pressed around these anxious ones, the heavenly angels were continually wafting their wings over them to scatter the thick darkness.

As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless…. The angels of God… went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones…. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness of the Laodiceans….

My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken…. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet….

I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect….I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”

From “Maranatha”, by Ellen White