Remains of Gomorrah -- pure ash
Jesus gave this warning, “Remember Lot’s wife”. Luke 17:32. Why? Her heart was still with her home and children. Even living with a good man, she had not surrendered to righteousness. Salvation is always an individual decision.
Today the lifestyle of Sodom is being flaunted before our eyes as never before. Once it was done in secret, but now this ‘alternate lifestyle’ is being taught in schools to children of a very young age.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is a warning to us.
Who is listening?
The majority of men, women, youth, and children are so brainwashed by the media they do not even think about these things. Even if they did, they would laugh them to scorn.
This was predicted.
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished.” 2 Peter 3:3-6.
In the future, the majority will be unable to decide for the truth. They will believe the miracles, the false Christs, their personal prejudices, world leaders, including the pope of Rome. If they attend church, their priest or pastor will convince them that truth is error and error is truth.
Only those who take the time NOW to look into these things will make the right decision. The latter rain will simply ‘scoop the cream’ to use an old farming term.
I appeal to you, if indeed you are convicted of truth – do it.
Obey it now.
Tomorrow you may be persuaded against it.
When the Spirit brings it to you again, the divine voice will not be as strong to your mind. With every refusal to obey, that voice will grow fainter until you will not hear it at all.
This is the unpardonable sin.
It is not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit with evil words, but the persistent refusal to respond to God’s voice. Finally, the Spirit will leave and there can be no salvation.
The last verse of the third angel identifies the remnant.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.
God’s faithful people, a remnant from all denominations of Christendom, will need the “patience of the saints”, for many must give their lives for Jesus.
(There will also be men and women belonging to heathen religions who will come out at this time. They will claim Jesus as their Saviour, and will keep His commandments. In their heathen environment they responded to the Spirit of God, and when truth is revealed, they are ready to accept it)
God is watching. He says, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13.
They ‘sleep’ in Jesus until the resurrection. Whether it be one day, one year, a hundred years, it will be as a moment, for the Lifegiver will call, “Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust” and they will arise to eternal life. Isaiah 26:19.
Job wrote, “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.” Job 14:14.15.
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible… Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52.54.
Let us now analyse the third angel’s message in more detail.
“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, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God poured out without mixed….” Revelation 14:9.10.
Notice, those who are marked will receive the wrath of God “without mixture”. This means without mercy.
You might be surprised at this statement, but we are dealing with the final judgment of God’s vengeance against sin. He said right at the very beginning “the wages of sin is death”. Romans 6:23. (Taken in principle from Genesis 2:17)
Man’s wrath has heated emotions, angry words and often violence.
This is not the wrath of God.
God, as the Judge of the universe, after passing down a verdict of guilty, must allow the punishment to take place. If not, His judgment is worthless. A refusal to separate from sin means we must die with it.
Remember, the third angel is God’s warning to the human race. If we ignore it, what else can He do?
At the end, millions of Christians who today are faithfully attending church on Sunday, will receive the “mark of the beast”.
Does this surprise you? (And many keeping the Sabbath)
It is because they do not want to learn important salvational issues -- they are too controversial and divisive, or even frightening.
During Noah’s day, many were willing to enter the ark after the door was shut. Oh how they wanted to hear Noah’s message then. But it was too late.
Today millions of Christians believe they will be raptured away from this earth before the tribulation. Since the destruction of the twin towers in New York, the ‘apocalypse’ has captured the imagination and excitement of even non-Christians, especially with the release of books and DVDs entitled ‘Left Behind’. It is a delusion.
Together with this, Christians as well as Jews are watching Jerusalem and waiting for the re-building of the temple. But this too is a delusion. It is not a fulfilment of Bible prophecy. The eyes of Christians must be on the New Jerusalem and the return of Christ in power and glory. Hebrews 13:14.
There is no question the unholy city is a political hot spot and we may see some amazing things happen there. Rumours continue that the pope will make his capital in Jerusalem, a possibility that has been stated in Vatican circles for many years.
Some Christian churches are not apocalyptical in their thinking and speak exclusively about living a good Christian life, finding their potential, and being the man or woman God would have them be. Others speak solely of the life of Jesus, His death and resurrection. These are wonderful themes, but the congregations have no idea that a storm is coming, relentless in its fury.
Friend, I am speaking only of genuine denominational groups, not those that churn out a prosperity gospel and take a fortune in offerings. Nor am I speaking of those that claim the Holy Spirit makes them laugh, roll on the floor, bark like a dog and so forth. These are an abomination. Nor am I speaking of evangelists who claim power to ‘slay in the spirit’, causing men and women to fall backwards to the floor. They are deceived. (God’s people fall on their faces if they must fall to the ground)
And I am not speaking of the dozens of strange and horrendous churches that claim to be Christian, but are in fact, a total abomination. (Andrew Denton interviewed various church groups in America during a ‘Christian’ festival, some of which were bizarre)
I am certainly not speaking of the wicked and evil churches that deliberately worship Satan. Of course, the word ‘church’ is a misnomer, but sadly, this is what they call themselves, an example being the late Andre Lavey and his ‘Church of Satan’.
Eliminating all these takes a huge chunk out of Christendom, but there are still millions of honest, Bible-believing and born-again Christians. They need the endtime message.
Having said all that, there are millions of Christians who know the prophetic Scriptures, and who understand “the beast and his image”. They are also students of history and understand that the papal Antichrist was recognised by all the reformers as Biblically accurate.
This brings us back to the third angel.
Although many Christians identify the “beast” as the Papacy, and warn against the “mark”, they are not necessarily giving the third angel’s message. Most do not understand the meaning of the “mark”. They see it just as an identification of the New World Order in the form of a laser, or a chip implant.
You see, there is a prophetic order. The third angel follows the first and the second angel. This might seem obvious, but to have missed the historic setting of the first two angels is to miss the true setting of the third. To share the third angel, we must have an experience in the first and second.
This will show where we are in history.
- It will show which sanctuary is to be cleansed.
- It will show why the sanctuary is to be cleansed.
- It will show the Law of God as His divine standard of righteousness.
- It will show that the Sabbath is the sign of those who have the faith of Jesus to obey the Ten Commandments.
- It will show the true identity of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and that their Spirit is the only power on earth that will empower them to obey the commandments, at all times, but especially when facing the death penalty.
And it will show the identity of the Antichrist in the setting of Daniel 8, as a power that attacks the sanctuary of God, not on the earth as many believe, but in heaven.
It will also show that the United States of America is working towards fulfilling the aims of the papal power in achieving its own ends to legislate its day of the sun.
You see, if we have received the everlasting gospel as our own, and have understood the historical setting, we will be able to give the third angel’s message in power.
And God’s Spirit is ready for our reception. We need not be faint-hearted.
“The truth is soon to triumph gloriously, and all who now choose to be laborers together with God, will triumph with it.” 9 Testimonies p135.
Yes, the third angel’s message will swell to a loud cry as the Spirit of God is poured out without measure upon those who desire and request it. Not on those who wait in indolence for the coming of the Lord, but upon the zealous, faithful ones who have great concern for the lost.
The additional power is the fulfilment of what is often called the ‘fourth angel’.
“And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.” Revelation 18:1.
This is God’s Spirit in latter rain power, poured out upon the remnant to give the final message. It is a repeat of the second angel’s message.
“And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:2-5.
This is the very last message to the world.
When the call is given, every mainline church and independent group rejecting the fulness of the three angel’s messages will be classified as Babylon. There will be no exceptions.
God’s love and mercy is calling His people out of these churches, out of Babylon.
There is no turning back
It is like the call from Sodom, ‘Come out now’, or you will suffer the plagues about to be poured out on everyone and everything that constitutes Babylon.
On this day, final decisions will be made, for or against the truth. Every person on planet earth must decide if they will keep Sabbath of the fourth commandment or Sunday of government legislation.
My friend, it will make no difference in which country you live – the Sunday law will be universal.
I am praying for you, and I long to know that you have surrendered to Jesus and are obeying His commands.
Contents Revelation 14 Part 2 Next Study
Do You Want to Know the Future?
No.23.
It is time for us to look at the middle of the chapter, seven key verses known as the three angels’ messages.
“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, 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.” Revelation 14:6.7.
It is not apparent that this is the first of three angels, but it will become clear.
“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.” Revelation 14:8.
The first and second angel’s messages are vital messages for the inhabitants of the world, but first we need to go back to when they were first given, during the 1840-1844 period.
When William Miller gave his prophetic studies of Daniel, he warned of the coming of Christ to cleanse the earth. It was a judgment-hour message, although no one was clear as to when the judgment would take place. It was generally believed to be at the return of Christ, when He would separate the sheep from the goats.
But as you know, Jesus did not plan to return and cleanse the earth at that time. Instead He began the judgment of the saints in fulfilment of the anti-typical Day of Atonement.
Miller’s message was a call for repentance, for only converted, born-again men and women would be ready to meet Jesus in peace.
Many conversions did take place, and thousands looked forward to the coming of the Lord.
William Miller preached mainly to Protestants, rather than Roman Catholics, although anyone was free to attend his lectures. In those days there was a definite distinction between Protestants and Catholics, as it was not acceptable to co-mingle. Protestants understood Catholicism to be spiritual Babylon.
The prophecies of Daniel regarding the little horn had been preached by all the reformers, and this knowledge was retained, even though worldliness had leavened Protestantism to the state of Sardis, having “a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1.
So the message of Miller was for the Protestant churches, not an easy task.
“The preaching of define time called forth great opposition from all classes, from the ministers in the pulpit down to the most reckless, heaven-daring sinner. ‘No man knoweth the day nor the hour’ was heard from the hypocritical minister and bold scoffer.
The truth spoken in its convincing power aroused the people, and they began to enquire ‘What must I do to be saved?’
But these shepherds stepped in between the truth and the people, and preached smooth things to lead them from the truth… The most devoted gladly received the message.” Early Writings p233.4.5.
Please be aware that this will be repeated by churches and ministers in the coming days.
- Go to your Bible.
- Hold fast to the Word.
- Do not let anyone steal your crown.
Eventually the message of Christ’s return was totally rejected by the Protestant churches. The believers who loved the Lord refused to give it up, and as a result, they were disfellowshipped and anathematised.
As the people separated from their churches, a voice sounded, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen”, and those leaving the churches united their voices under the ‘midnight cry’, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.” Matthew 25:6.
It was not until after the October 22 disappointment that the advent believers realised they had fulfilled the proclamation of the first and second angel’s messages.
If you look back at the second angel’s message, you will see words that describe Catholicism – “that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” Revelation 14:8.
Rome had been “fallen” for centuries, so how can this refer to Protestantism?
When Protestantism rejected the message of the first angel, it was a rejection of the gospel, the sanctuary, the judgment, and the Sabbath. This was not understood at the time because these truths were hidden within the two messages.
As a result, Protestantism became part of Babylon.
Of course this does not mean that every Protestant church in the world became Babylon - only those rejecting the message of the first angel. They had hardened their hearts against ‘present truth’ and were denounced by the second angel.
However, any Protestant church that still refuses to accept the message of the first angel -- in its fullness – will become Babylon in future days.
(Many Protestant churches can be classified as Babylon today because of their rejection of the virgin birth, the resurrection, the miracles of Jesus, and indeed Christ’s divine life. They are in utter confusion as they allow their members to live as the world, even the ‘gay’ lifestyle. As churches depart from the Word of God, to the point of ordaining homosexual and lesbian men and women, Heaven’s rejection is already upon them)
When light came regarding the sanctuary, the little flock rejoiced that within the very words of the first angel was a prophecy that the judgment they anticipated with the return of Christ would begin prior to His Advent.
Other Bible verses speak of a judgment to come.
Solomon said, “God will bring every work into judgment”. Ecclesiastes 12:14.
Paul said, “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10. “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men….” Romans 2:16.
And Jesus said, “I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36.
Clearly the Bible speaks of a judgment to come. But the first angel says, “Fear God and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come.” Revelation 14:7.
This is a change of tense. Instead of being will come, shall come, it is “is come”. If we wrote it in modern English we would say has come. In fact, this is how all the other translations write it, either has come, has arrived, or is come. The words are well understood.
The believers asked the question: What has changed?
It was not long before they understood -- the sanctuary and its services. “Jesus entered the most holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Daniel 8 in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by His mediation, and thus to cleanse the sanctuary.” Early Writings p253.
Do not be confused by the words ‘final atonement’. The Bible shows four meanings to the word atonement.
We need to look at two other verses to eliminate all misunderstanding on the timing of the judgment.
“I charge thee therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (living) and the dead at his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:1.
This verse appears to show that the judgment will take place at Christ’s return, but we must remember that in the judicial sphere there are three aspects to judgment – the investigation or trial, the verdict, and the execution according to the decision of the court.
At the return of Christ, the righteous will receive the gift of eternal life, a decision of the heavenly court. They have been fully justified by the blood of Jesus. But it is not their full reward. They will receive many more blessings as they enter the glorious city above.
The lost will die at Christ’s coming, but it is simply a cessation of life until their court case has taken place in the heavens. (We will study this further on in Revelation)
So it is true, when Jesus returns, He will ‘judge’ the living and the dead, either for everlasting life or everlasting contempt.
Another verse is, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. This text appears to say that the judgment will take place at death, however, other verses clearly show this is not so. It is a warning to all that this life is all we have, and then the judgment.
Back to the change of Christ’s ministry.
On the 22nd October, 1844, Jesus entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary and began His investigation of the records of those who claimed salvation by faith in the Messiah, beginning with faithful Abel.
Soon an investigation into the lives of the living will begin.
Once this change of ministry had begun in heaven, the third angel’s message could begin sounding its warning to the world.
2300 years, then the sanctuary cleansed * 1844
First angel * 1840------1844
Second angel * 1844
Third angel * 1844 -----------------------------CP
(CP Close Probation)
As you know, the majority rejected the subject of the sanctuary, even denying that God had led them in the past, although they still believed the date might be correct. But they soon began to set other dates until finally many become discouraged and left. In time, the group splintered and became churches with many different doctrines.
Those who refused to doubt the leading of God remained faithful. A sister who went through the disappointment said, “Many saw the perfect chain of truth in the angels’ messages, and gladly received them in their order, and followed Jesus by faith into the heavenly sanctuary. These messages were represented to me as an anchor to the people of God.” Early Writings p256.
As time went on, many joined the smaller group Some had not an experience in the two former messages and they could not understand the importance of the third angel’s message in its relation to the first two. Instead of a spiritual warning for the salvation of souls, they spoke only of the condemnation the message contained.
“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,
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:
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.” Revelation 14:9-11.
This is the most fearful warning in the entire Bible. It has been sounding for over 160 years, although you may never have heard it before. Even if you are a churchgoer, you may not have heard it from the minister in the pulpit. Most churches never read these words, or if they do, they are not explained.
Just imagine, the greatest warning in the Bible and the majority knows nothing of it.
How long will God wait?
The antediluvian world was given 120 years to listen to Noah’s warning. Then the flood came and destroyed every person on the face of the earth. Well, almost all. Only eight people were saved. Imagine that? Eight out of a possible two billion people, approximately a quarter of today’s population.
Noah spent much of the time warning the people, while his sons and other living relatives built the boat. This might seem a long time to build a boat, but it was huge, much bigger than people imagine.
It is important to realise that God allowed sufficient time for the building of a very strong and well-built boat, the gathering of thousands of seeds, and a warning to every person on the face of the earth. Then the flood came.
(By the way, Noah’s grandfather died during the week before the flood, the oldest living person. His name was Methuselah or in Hebrew M’tushalach. One of its meanings is ‘when he is gone, then it shall happen’. Many would have connected the name with the coming flood. The news of his death would have travelled far and wide, and there would have been an expectation to see what would happen. But they still did nothing)
Yes, the flood inundated the whole world.
When God gives a warning, He carries it out.
Jesus said, “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” Luke 17:26.27.
We have no time for complacency.
Oh friend, the message of the third angel is God’s love message to you and to me. It is a terrible warning with dire consequences for those who worship the “beast and his image”. There will be a punishment, but God wants us to avoid it.
The message is sounding today, but its voice is not yet full volume. When the latter rain falls, it will become a loud cry, and every human being on the earth will hear it.
All will be able to make a conscious decision, but for the majority, it will be too late. Just like the antedeluvian world in their rejection of Noah’s message, their hearts were hardened.
Today minds are being prepared to receive the truth, or they are being lulled into a false sense of security.
The flood in Noah’s day is a warning to us.
Jesus also said, “Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they building;
But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:28-30.
Of course you know the sin of the people of Sodom.
Lot, the nephew of Abraham lived in this wicked city. He should not have been there, but he married a Sodomite girl and moved into the city. Children were born to them, and of course, they felt at home in the city.
The inhabitants of Sodom were warned, as Lot was a righteous man, and “… dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.” 2 Peter 2:8.
The Sodomites ignored his warnings.
On the day Lot, his wife and two single daughters left Sodom, the Lord rained down fire and brimstone upon the cities of the plains. The angels warned them, ‘Do not look back’, but Lot’s wife turned her face towards the city. As a result she became a pillar of salt.