Artist: Nathan Greene
Countdown to Eternity
Chapter 12
THE END
“When ye see all these things, know that the end is near, even at the doors." Matthew 24:33
In 1984, three years prior to the Sunday laws in Fiji, a revival took place among Christian men and women who believed in the coming of the Lord.
“Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, little groups were organised for street preaching, prison and hospital visitation, literature distribution, until the major part of Fiji was covered by the preaching of the truth”. 1
Gabriel Simpson remembers it well. It was a wonderful experience of the power of God.
However, it was not long before church leaders began to clamp down on these enthusiastic men and women, instituting authority which led to ostracising, and finally to casting out from the church many who had taken part in the revival. 2
Why had this happened?
It is always the same pattern when churches have unconverted leaders. Fearful of losing their control and unscriptural authority, they seek to proscribe rules for those in their charge.
If that authority is insufficient, they seek the help of the state.
At this time, Fiji began to experience an unprecedented number of cyclones. Normally there would be one every five or six years, but within three months, there were four major cyclones causing many deaths and millions of dollars worth of damage. 3
These disasters were followed by a drought for the next two years, adding many woes to the country.
Simpson remembers that at the end of 1986, there were sporadic calls for stricter Sunday observance in the media. News broadcasters cited the natural disasters as evidence that God was angry and that it was necessary to keep Sunday holy. 4
In April 1987, an election was held, and the incumbent party, comprising mainly indigenous Fijians, was voted out. This gave the Indian party the power and it did not take long before there were demonstrations and civil unrest. 5
“The agitation continued to grow until the military took over the country on May 14 1987. Lt Colonel Rabukah immediately handed over the reins of power to a caretaker government hoping some kind of settlement could be made with the Indians. This did not eventuate and in late September he mounted his second coup, regained power and declared Fiji a republic”. 6
Among the first decrees to be issued the very next day was the Sunday Observance Decree.
Fiji is a lesson to us all.
Throughout the Bible and history, God has ordained that events take place as miniature enactments of greater events to happen in the coming years. Not that God predetermines man’s choices, but in His omniscient wisdom, He is able to provide circumstances that become lessons for later generations to learn and take heed.
However, one thing we learn from history is that we rarely learn from history.
Three things are apparent worldwide today.
Independent literature is being printed by the millions in tracts, books, magazines, newspapers, and it is being distributed like the leaves of autumn. Also audio tapes and videos are being prepared at independent meetings everywhere.
Churches are disfellowshipping those who will not come into line with church policy, which is to ask permission before members print literature, distribute it, run independent meetings, and make videos and tapes.
In spite of opposition, the power of God is seen among the small groups who are working for the honour of God. He is using these simple means, and many are inquiring, ‘What must I do to be saved?’
What happened in Fiji when the churches began to reject the faithful remnant?
Disasters increased.
These were not the work of God, but direct intervention of Satan who has power over the elements, as far as God permits. Even today he is working to bring disasters upon mankind all over the world. Who would doubt this after seeing the devastating 9.0 earthquake in Sumatra, together with the tsunamis that claimed the lives of thousands in other countries.
Sadly, it will continue.
In 1884 the following was written, “In accidents and calamities by sea and by land, in great conflagrations, in fierce tornadoes and terrific hailstorms, in tempests, floods, cyclones, tidal waves, and earthquakes, in every place and in a thousand forms, Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast.” 7 (Today we would add ‘and in the air’, as this was before aeroplanes)
This is the Great Jubilee, the Day of God’s deliverance!
It is the end of the world, but for God’s faithful people who honour Him in all their ways, it is the end of death.
It is the end of suffering.
It is the end of all that hurts, and destroys.
It is the end…..
But it is also the beginning of eternity.
Bibliography
Chapter 12 – The End
Amazing Truth News. Jan 1998 p1.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid p2.
The Great Controversy p590.
Special Alert No.22 Destiny Editorial letter. Service Oct 1981.
Special Alert No.43. Jul 1983.
The Great Controversy p590.
Ibid p591.
Freedom’s Ring. May-Jul 1994 also Covenant Watch Aug 1993. Special Issue. Jack Mohr. America in Peril.
Ibid.
Video American under Siege. Linda Thompson.
Personal conversation.
Tony Pitt personal phone call. Tony has photographs of this site and is willing to produce photocopies on request.
Ibid.
Ibid.
From video by Jan Marcusson. Photograph from Jan Marcusson received from Christian living in the area. Drawing by resident.
Revelation 13:15.
World Watch Apr-Jun 1997 p23.24.
Ibid.
The Great Controversy p626.
Isaiah 33:16.17. 41:17.
Revelation 22:11.
Revelation 16:1-21.
Psalm 91.
Daniel 2:43.
Revelation 17:12.13. The day-year principle. See Chapter 6. Point 21. Bibliography.
Revelation 17:13-17.
Revelation 20:1. Isaiah 24:1-23. Luke 17:20-37.
Revelation 20:4-6.
Revelation 19:17-19.
The Great Controversy p635.636.
2 Peter 2:10-12.
Psalm 97:2-6.
Revelation 6:14-17.
World Watch Jul-Sep !997
Isaiah 25:9.
One talent = 100 pounds. 2 Thes 2:8.
Isaiah 25:9.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52. John 14:1-4.
Isaiah 26:19.
1 Thessalonians 4:16.17
Revelation 21:4.
Apologies for the misplaced documentation. As this is being reprinted five or six years later, it would be well-nigh impossible to find it. I don't know how far back five or six years is either!
Jesus is coming very soon.
Be ready.
www.turnbacktogod.com
What will our leaders say?
Eventually they will blame the disasters upon those who desecrate Sunday, the first day of the week.
One man who has consistently put forward this charge is Howard Rand, publisher of ‘Special Alert’ magazine. He wrote, “If we as a nation (USA) would escape the doldrums of increased trouble as God’s hand rests heavily on His people, opposition to Sunday nationally declared as the Sabbath, must cease… There will be no relief from mounting economical (and natural) disaster until the Sabbath (Sunday)… is strictly enforced by governmental decrees and action.” 8
Two years later, he said, “When such becomes a reality, and the people are under strict requirement to keep that day holy, God will proceed to bless our nation.” 9
Can you see it?
The great deceiver will persuade men that those who serve God are causing these evils. “It will be declared that men are offending God by the violation of the Sunday-sabbath; that this sin has brought calamities which will not cease until Sunday observance shall be strictly enforced.” 10
Before this time, there will be two movements. One will uphold the Ten Commandments of the Bible and the seventh-day Sabbath; the other will present the claims of Sunday the first day of the week.
Finally, those who honor the Bible Sabbath “will be denounced as enemies of law and order, as breaking down the moral restraints of society, causing anarchy and corruption, and calling down the judgments of God upon the earth… The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. Liberty of conscience… will no longer be respected.” 11
When the National Sunday Law is declared in the United States, Christians living in the large cities all around the world, must leave immediately, for it will not be long before the same law will be passed in other countries.
This is the final opportunity to leave before the judgments of God fall upon these concrete jungles.
The Sunday laws will no doubt incur relatively light penalties at first, but gradually they will become more severe, until finally, the death decree will be declared. “As many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” 20
The government has red and blue lists of people.
Those on the red list are men and women whose witness is public and obvious to the authorities. Their message is a threat to the New World Order. They must be eliminated, and this will be done, according to a report from ‘Mr C’, before martial law is declared. 21
Those on the blue list are not as obvious in their witness. They will be arrested after martial law is declared, and the plan is to ‘re-educate’ them. Some will succumb and change sides. Those who can not be turned away from their allegiance to God will be transferred to the red list and killed. 22
Not only will the death decree be brought in, but also a law ‘forbidding the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath’. In the past controversy over the Sabbath-Sunday issue, the Papacy could not tolerate Christians ‘Judaizing’ as they called it. History will be repeated.
It is not enough for Satan to have men and women keeping his day of the sun, he must stop the faithful as well.
When the death decree is declared, it is the sign that God’s people must flee. “As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge in the strongholds of the mountains.” 23
Those who escape will have the protection of God. They will not need to take with them a provision of food, for the Creator has promised to provide their sustenance. “Their bread and water shall be sure”. 24
By the time the death decree has been set, earth’s probation will have closed and God will have declared his irrevocable decree,
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” 25
After this pronouncement, the seven last plagues will be poured out upon the wicked. “A great voice (came) out of the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth’.” 26
During this time, God’s faithful people will suffer hardship, but the plagues will not touch them. Not one Sabbath-keeping Christian will die from this time forward.
God’s promise is assured.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence…
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand, but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked, because thou hast made the Lord… even the Most High, thy habitation…
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone… because He hath set His love upon me…
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him with long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.” 27
During this time of trial, God’s people will not have Bibles, but will rely on the Lord to bring to mind the promises they have loved in their Christian walk.
How important it is to learn them now.
During the time of trouble, God’s faithful people will cling to the promise of the ‘blessed hope’ of their Lord’s return.
Jesus is coming soon
Jesus is coming
How wonderful will be this promise then.
Day and night they will cry unto God for deliverance. To human sight it will appear that soon they will seal their testimony with their blood as did the martyrs before them. But if they could see as God sees, they would behold companies of angels stationed about them. Satan and his host cannot touch them.
They must wait and trust in God.
But what about Satan?
It does look as if his plans will come to pass, and he will have his world government and world religion.
But will he?
According to the Word of God, the clay and the iron of the toes of Daniel’s dream can not be moulded together. “They shall not cleave one to another”. 28
God has spoken.
No matter how much it appears that Satan will win the great controversy, he will not.
When he takes his wet clay, and presses it onto the iron, it will stick for a short while, but when the clay dries, it will crumble to pieces at his feet.
The ten world regions will give their power and allegiance to the Zionist-Papal Conspirators achieving world government for “one hour”. This could imply a short period of time, or it could be based on symbolic time of the prophetic year-day principle. 29
If it is so, Satan’s ‘reign’ will last fifteen days, and it will be over.
Praise God, it will not be long.
When the devil’s New World Order crumbles in his hands, the world nations will “hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” 30
This is Bible prophecy.
The Conspiratorial masterpiece of deception will be exposed for what it is and has been for centuries – a sun-worshipping harlot, drunk on the blood of the martyrs.
At the end of God’s designated 6000 years, earth’s real Sabbath rest will begin. It will be a mass of rubble, a vast “bottomless pit”, but it will be a time when God allows it to rest from the violence and pollution that has destroyed its beauty. 31
Only Satan and his angels will dwell in its void. They will have no one to tempt, for they alone will be alive upon the earth. God’s faithful people will be rejoicing in the glorious, heavenly New Jerusalem. 32
Satan desired to reign over the earth for the millennium, and God has granted him his wish.
Satan’s evil host will be with him, like their master, bemoaning their coming fate. The lost of earth will be there too, but their dead bodies will lie upon the ground as food for the vultures and buzzards. 33
Where you spend the millennium is up to you.
If you have made your choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, it will not matter if you are hiding in the mountains, or if you are in a lonely prison cell, when He returns, you will be released from your bondage.
When evil men are about to rush on their prey to destroy them, suddenly a dense blackness will overshadow the earth, and it will be covered in darkness. “Then a rainbow, shining with the glory from the throne of God, spans the heavens and seems to encircle each praying company. The angry multitudes are suddenly arrested. Their mocking cries die away…
By the power of God a voice, clear and melodious, is heard, saying, “look up”, and lifting their eyes to the heavens, they behold the bow of promise.” 34
The faithful remnant know His voice. He is their Friend and Saviour, and they will be at peace. They know Jesus is coming to take them home.
The wicked will be terrified.
“Clouds and darkness are round about Him, righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world; the earth saw, and trembled.
The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the people see His glory.” 35
“The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up…. wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.” 36
Can you imagine the scene?
Everything in nature turns out of its course. Dark, heavy clouds clash against each other. The streams cease to flow. Mountains split asunder; islands disappear.
This is the second coming of Christ.
It is the coming of the Creator, the King of kings in all His glory.
This is the event that will split the heavens.
“And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together, and every mountain and island were moved out of their places, and the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks,
Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of His wrath is come, and who shall be able to stand?” 37
Did you notice who was calling out to be hidden from the wrath of God?
The kings, the great men, the rich men, the chief men, and the mighty men. These are the Conspirators and leaders who are working to put together the New World Order They thought they could defy the God of heaven, but when He appears in all His glory, they cringe and howl, afraid of His wrath.
And can you imagine the audacity of Kenneth Copeland having bought the television rights to the second coming of Christ! 38
What stupidity.
No one will be broadcasting television then.
“And the Lord shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of His arm, with the indignation of His anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.” 39
Those who have blasphemed and maligned God’s holy character will flee from Christ, and in the confusion, of falling bricks, glass, debris, many will be killed. (We have had a little glimpse when watching the Indonesian earthquake and tsunamis on December 26.2005)
Others will be crushed under 45 kilo hailstones.
The rest will die from the brightness of the glory of the King of kings. 40
But the righteous, the faithful remnant, in spite of the turmoil upon the earth, will be calm and at peace. When they see their Saviour coming in the clouds of heaven, they cry out with joy, “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” 41
What a day of rejoicing it will be.
As the earth breaks up under their feet, the remnant will begin to rise, and “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” they will be changed into immortality, and will ascend to the mansions Jesus has prepared for them. 42
The Lord will call the faithful from their dusty graves. “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust”… and the earth shall cast out the dead.” 43
“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the air, so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 44
Yes, the end will come.
The end of persecution, suffering, pain, tears. Even death will be no more. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.” 45
Destruction everywhere