Endtime Reality Check

“Endtime” Reality Check (Matt 24:14)

            So ‘the end of the world is soon,’ ‘the signs of the times are rapidly fulfilling,’ and ‘final events will soon unravel’, well even generous estimates would reveal that ca. 7,000,000,000 currently, honestly do not know and/or understand this most crucial message of warning. So, you say, they will soon hear about it and be informed, well how about a little “reality check” (cf. here|here) in specifically this temporal regard. 

SDA Racially Divided Conferences

The Lingering Evil in SDA Racially Divided Conferences (Jude 1:18-19)

A more developed statement may or may not be made here on this blatantly ungodly,

unbiblical, and self-evident issue lingering in the Church, however for now it should suffice to say that: since racially divided conference were, due to “hardness of hearts” (Matt 19:7-8; cf. Mal 2:16), ultimately created in order to meet the spiritual, and other various pertinent special needs, of then marginalized and ignored SDA African-Americans (see a most infamous, “watershed” extreme manifestation related here), and certain South Africans (see in SDA Historian, Crocombe’s Blog below), then this cannot possibly still now be a problem/issue/excuse, for either “side,” especially in now 2018 (cf. AR 02-21-08 article...(but AR 07-24-08 opposition by Calvin B. Rock) in here).

The Fallacy of Non-Paid Lay Pastoring

Is Non-paid, Lay Pastoring Really God’s Will? (1 Tim 5:17-18)                  

            Due to common and widespread financial constraints, made worse by the recent economic downturn (a.k.a. “The Great Recession” - see ‘How We Got Here’ [Audio] (Lewis Walton, ASI 2009); see also this (illustrated) presentation by Australian evangelist Herb Kersten), lay pastoring has become more and more popular in some Local Conference policies. Current denominational statistics (p.6) show that as much as 24%-32% of “Evangelistic and Pastoral Employees” who are not “Ordained” or “Licensed”, but classified as “Other”, may be formally recognized/utilized “Lay” Workers.[1] Despite this stance of the Global Church on formal lay “utilization,” there really is no Biblical support for such a plan for the “corporal”/organized work of God. From the times of the Old Testament, the priesthood (i.e., the Levites) were to be “wholly” set apart for the work of ministry. (Num 18:20, 21) They were to be completely taken care of by the tithes and offerings given by the rest of God’s people. In the early days of the SDA Church,

The War In Heaven

"War In Heaven" - An Actual War!

            When it was “explicatively” mentioned by one of my Religion professors at Andrews University, on the day following the NET ’98 presentation mentioned below, that the belief that the “War in Heaven” mentioned in Rev 12:7 was (indeed) not believed by all SDA’s to have been an actual/literal war[1], I thought that this was an exaggeration as, at the very least, the Spirit of Prophecy (SOP) seemed to be quite clear about this being a real, all-out war. However, it does appear that such a belief was, and still is, indeed quite present amongst SDA circles.[2]

Michael the Archangel (cf. Rev 3:12d)

In this blog post I will conveniently (though also merely referentially) coalesce the

various expounding and expositions that I have made in relation to the topic/issue of Michael the Archangel. (See e.g., from here and within this post; -See also the supporting websites listed at the end of this posting: namely here, here, here and here)). These prior discussions should be read to get more details as to what will be succinctly summarily stated here in this present post, and further corroborating points and derived deeper understandings on this subject and its Biblical implications will also be made here.

            And as an great foundational study on the topic of ‘the OT “Angel of the Lord” was “God the Son Jesus Christ”’ see the following excellent, systematic, presentation by Mike Winger, from his entire "How To Find Jesus In the Old Testament" series on this topic:

“Incarnation” does not mean “Creation”

-First of all, to get a quite conflatedly (i.e., with Jehovah Witnesses’ “Theology”) confused “(fantasaical pink) elephant” out of this room, the belief that Jesus was incarnated from the Glorious Divine form that He priorly had with His Father “before the “cosmos” [i.e., and not just ‘created inhabited worlds’) was” (John 17:5, 24) into a more accessible (cf. 1 Tim 6:16) Mighty Angel form, does not at all take anything away from the Full Deity that Jesus inherently had...indeed just as Him later becoming (also necessarily) incarnated (even lower) as a human being likewise did not take anything away from His Divine Nature. (Phil 2:6ff; John 5:26).

The Heart of the Elijah Message (Malachi 4:5,6)

The Heart of the Elijah Message (Mal 4:5-6)

Malachi 4:5-6 which says in the NASB:

"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.”

is copiously cited, and with reason, in Seventh-day Adventist circles as a major part of the Church’s Mission and Message even though that passage is not really precisely understood. It therefore has found a common, almost social, application in that it would come to mean that ‘parents and children would have perfect relationships and/or “see eye-to-eye” on Biblical issues and/or that ‘the youth of the Church would come to be in harmony with the older members of the Church on diverging issues, i.e, dress, music, entertainment, etc,’ or, oddly enough, ‘a lack of social intimacy in SDA families’.[1]  These interpretations/applications do find an, albeit merely homiletical, basis in this text, for “nuclear family dysfunction” was most likely not a crucial problem, if at all, in Israel then, particularly as their then strict and legalistically-hedged, adherence to the Ten Commandments in that post-Babylonian captivity Era, particularly when there was not an ‘“expert’s” sanctimonious loophole’ around the literalistic reading of a Law, (cf. Mar 7:9-13), probably precluded what would be an explicit violation of the letter of the Fifth Commandment. In fact, if that was the object of that Mal 4:5-6 statement, and John the Baptist preached and realized it, then Jesus would soon completely undermine and explode its supposed “nuclear harmony” message (see e.g., Matt 10:34-37|Luke 12:51-53; 14:26ff, 33 = Deut 33:8-10a ff; Matt 12:46-50). Jesus was instead seeking for people who would be boldly singular to restore Israel and God’s Law to God’s initial/original intent and purpose; and it was actually a spurious ‘my parents don’t believe so’ rationalization/excuse that was hindering this ‘collective and Historical Israel restoration’. (Matt 10:38; 11:12|Luke 16:16-17).
            The one exegetically accurate application that has not been seen from this passage is the one that more closely mirrors what this statement was initially meant to address in its historical context, as succinctly explained here.

The Sealing of God's People - Part 2 (Ezekiel 9)

The “Fuller” Seal in God’s Sabbath

            It is clear from Biblical Studies, and from the Spirit of Prophecy (SOP), that the “Seal of God” spoken of in endtime prophecy (Rev 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; cf. 22:4) involves the observation of the 7th Day Sabbath, and thus the law of God. This is in direct opposition to the Mark of the Beast (cf. e.g., Rev 13:16; 14:9; 20:4) which acknowledges a spurious Sabbath, namely Sunday sacredness and effective “lawlessness.” (See also this blog post for more.) However, as it has been seen from a careful study of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, the proper observation of the Biblical Sabbath indeed involves much more than just observing the correct day, in the proper way, but should also lead its observers to do significant works of benevolence towards those in need in the world. (Cf. here). Therefore, if, as it was seen in this post, the events in Ezek 8 which lead up to this prophetic sealing in Ezek 9 speaks of a Remnant People who are seeking to do God’s work through an abominable mixing in of worldly practices, which have all been shown to focus on an adherence to an unbiblical providing/economic system, reflected today in the economic system of Capitalism, then does a Sealing of God’s people in the end time also really depend upon whether or not works of benevolence are done towards those in the world today who are in need?

            The short answer here is a resounding: Yes! as seen in the following supporting Biblical statements.

The Sealing of God's People - Part 1 (Ezekiel 8)

Events Leading Up to the “Sealing of God’s People” (Ezekiel 8)

The Current State of the Church

            It is made unequivocally clear in the Spirit of Prophecy that the Sealing of God’s Servants from among His People in the end-time is “the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision.” (Ezekiel 9), and that  “John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation.” (Rev 7:1-8) TM 445.2; cf. 3T 266.2-267.2; 5T 207.2-212.4; Mar 240. In reading the passage in Ezek 9, it can be seen that the sealing and destruction depicted there is actually the just and direct result of past, blatant transgressions by God’s people, particularly the leaders of Judah. (Ezek 8; cf. 9:6b). If Ezek 9 is indeed a prophecy of what similarly/typically/typologically also transpires in the end with God’s Remnant People, then could it also be that the same transgressions spoken of in Ezek 8, that cause that previous judgement by God, be also committed today by God’s people in the end? The answer, after a careful study of this chapter, and then comparing its issues with the ones in the current Remnant Church today is astoundingly “yes,” and in every detail. This is shown here. It is therefore no surprise that the same unwavering judgement of Ezek 9 is prophesied to also be executed amongst God’s People today.

Advanced Prophetic Symbology

Understanding the Rest of Revelation’s Symbology

           

            Diligent students of Bible Prophecy, especially Seventh-day Adventist, are apt at recognizing that the message of Bible prophecies are predominantly couched in symbols, especially the book of Revelation. Many of these symbols have been rightly identified and interpreted according to the clues provided in the other, and/or alluded to, parts of the Bible, However several of these symbols have not been interpreted and are rather effectively dismissed as mere, empty statements. Yet, careful theological/bible study shows that this is far from the actual case and the key to unlock the rest of this symbology is to also take into full consideration that God is indeed the God of Creation.

SOP - "Spirit of Criticism" Note

9A. Our Final Test - Note #16 (SOP “Spirit of Criticism” - cont’d)

-Due to posting space limitations, the remaining commenting from this main post’s Note #16 on the SOP's “Spirit of Criticism” statements have been continued separately here. When finished, click here to resume reading in the main post.

1874   Scolding is never allowable; reproof and criticism from parents must have their time and place, but should never intrude so far upon the social life of the family as to render the home uncomfortable. A serious word in private will generally cure a fault more easily than many public criticisms. In some families, a spirit of contradiction and discussion mars the harmony; every statement is, as it were, dissected, and the absolute correctness of every word calculated. It interferes seriously with social freedom when unimportant inaccuracies are watched for, and exposed for the mere sake of exposure. Brothers and sisters also sometimes acquire an almost unconscious habit of teasing each other, half in earnest, half in fun. This is particularly uncomfortable for everybody else, whatever doubtful pleasure the parties themselves may experience.  {HR, February 1, 1874 par. 5} 

            While the counsel here is pointedly upon a nuclear family’s interactions, it most definitely extends/applies to a Church Family. And while this counsel is directed to actual children, just going by the application made by the angel in EGW’s vision here (at 1SM 110.1), it certainly comes to manifest itself amongst “grown-up children”, i.e. : “carrying with them the disposition, the habits, and the characteristics which pertain to children” When the expected “adults” in the Church, i.e. the deemed Spiritually mature, usually the positioned leadership, are themselves acting like children, and thus more so are these “grown-up children”, then their unholy influence and spirit defaultly spreads itself upon their respective flock and thus throughout the Church. Hence they become the “False Shepherds” of Ezek 34:1-22, the non-‘Davidic’ kind (Ezek 34:23-24ff), and those who will indeed be pointedly/specially judged by God for have taught/led their assigned flock to regard lightly God’s/Christ’s Full-Gospel/Sabbath mandate and thus ‘trodden it underfoot’ (=EW 36.2).

The Prophetic Parables of Jesus (Matt 24:42-25:46+)

“Our Final Test” - The Exegetical & Prophetic Commentary

(PH144 29.2||LLM 341.5||16MR 271.3)

            The following is a verse-by-verse exegetical commentary on, chiefly, the 1+4 (correlated) Prophetic Parables in Matt 24:42-25:46, namely:

-Coming as a Thief (Matt 24:42-44) (=Rev 3:3-5; 16:15; cf. Luke 12:35)

(1) The Illustration of the Two Stewards/Servants (Matt 24:45-51; =Luke 12:41-48)

(2) The Parable of Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13; cf. Matt 22:1-12)

(3) The Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30; =Luke 19:12-27)

(4) The Parable of the Sheep vs. the Goats (Matt 25:31-46 [cf. Matt 8:10-12])

Chronology, and Texts related to, Matt 24-25 Parables

            The previous “Our Final Test” blog post was actually written about this bloc of parables, but it then deliberately concealing (ala. Dan 12:4, 9-10) presented and expounded this message in the form of a parable (ala. Matt 13:10-17 =Isa 6:8-13), and subsequently with (mainly) Bible/Spirit of Prophecy (SOP) reference annotations added.[1]¹ So here/now is the exegetical and interpretational understandings which were underlying that “parabolic” rendition.

           First of all, the following here is a Master Illustration depicting and summarizing the entire ensuing exposition/commentary on these Prophetic/Apocalyptic Parables. The progression, association, relation and/or confrontation between the 8 illustrated entities/institution, and the many other supporting passages in the Bible and SOP, is all indicated & explained in the commentaries below.

Our Final Test +Annotations

Our Final Test
(Matt 24:42-25:46|Luke 19:11-27|PH144 29.2|LLM 341.5|16MR 271.3) 

{Note: See this post for the exegetical and SOP analysis, interpreting and expounding underlying the following prophetic parable.}

            After six arduous and toiling years of University-Law School studies, a group of the best law students in a populous metropolitan area gathered early on a Friday morning, by special request due to their exceptional work, in a Convention Center in order to take their bar exam. These students were, provedly and by self-determination, on paper, the very best of their class and school. At the beginning of their studies, all of the students accepted to this prestigious Law School had been defaulty given an incrementally increasing, significant bursary, as the continued to excel in their studies by maintaining a 4.0+ GPA. Student who were not able to maintain this standard were automatically removed from this Rewards Program. By the end of their 2nd year, all the students with still a 4.0+ GPA now also received even more rewarding, and motivating gifts by being relocated downtown into a luxurious, downtown condo, with all housing amenities and expenses paid. Then upon completing their Undergraduate Studies, as they were to embark into more advanced and specialized Graduate legal studies, all remaining excelling students, still maintaining a perfect GPA, were also given an expensive automobile. However, the additional, stated “catch” in all of this, had been that this would cause them to receive a more stringent final test than others in order to be admitted to the bar.

The SOP Proof Is In The Bible

The Proof of SOP Statements Is In The Bible (Acts 17:11)

            A most valuable contribution that the prophetic ministry of Ellen White has provided is in her inspired comments that shed great light upon episodes of the Bible (see e.g., the 5 Conflict of Ages series books). As many have referred to these, they are indeed an inspired commentary on the Bible. However for those who do not believe that Ellen White was, -through the “Testimony (=Isa 8:16, 20) from Jesus” (Greek Ablative case functioning as a “Genitive of Source/Origin” =Rev 1:2, 12:17) ‘which is the “Spirit of Prophecy”’ (Rev 19:10), inspired and received such true-to-life visions and dreams on Biblical stories from God, it can surfacely seem futile to try to make them see these views to be what actually did occur in the historical, Biblical past. Nonetheless, even in these complimentary “extra-Biblical” views, it becomes evident, upon study of them, that God, fully knowing that such doubts would exist, has still fully provided for these additional views to be adequately corroborated by the Bible. Indeed in most, if not all, of such extra-biblical revelations, one can find convincing Biblical support to show that they are indeed perfectly in-line with what the Bible states.[1]

            In this light, the following Biblical episode is an excellent example of this.

Daniel 11 - The Text

Daniel 11 - North vs. South (=CET 228.1-3+; GC 45.3)[1] 

            One of the most intriguing prophecies in Bible is found in Daniel chapter 11. In it is found an epic battle that focuses on two warring factions, namely, the King of the North and the King of the South. Like any other prophecy, or even simple statement, given by God in the Bible, it is still to speak in some way to His people today. Therefore it is beneficial to study this prophecy even if the exact interpretation may not yet be fully understood. The following is thus an introductory overview in the study of this prophecy based upon several years of study. As proper Bible study rightly first, and foremost, starts with an accurate translation of the text under consideration, from its original language, the following text of Dan 11, based upon the NASB version ([1995 updated version] - the most accurate Bible version available today), has been given. Where a better rendition could be made, it was done here in this text.

            The following guiding introductory pointers and observations from the careful study of this prophecy in its Biblical and Theological context are also here provided:

Jesus Was a Black Man?!?

Jesus was a Black Man?!? (Isa 53:2)

           Concedingly taking into full consideration that the student body at Andrews University was not selected from a pool of applicants from the unfallen host, I was, also based on stories/reports previously heard, mentally/spiritually prepared in advance to encounter situations/incidents that would confirm this fact when I set out to attend the school in 1997. Thus, quite early on, when I found my way out of a cloud of weed smoke, (all the while trying not to myself get high from the thick fumes), I was actually not shocked to have run into this particular “smokescreen.” However, I was quite shocked that, when I went and, already traumatized, began to report this to one of the dorm’s deans, angrily declaring that “My room is full of SMOKE” he, clearly not caring at all to ascertain, if this was from a fire, cigarette smoke or, as it was, WEED (as he manifestly fully comprehended), just disturbedly, mutely, or should it, more accurately be, mootly, shruggingly looked at me as if I had just complained about the building’s brick color, -preferring to “bury his head in the sand”.[1] Evidently, but unsure to me then, a ‘smoke-filled room’ was a normative occurrence on this campus, (“self-obviously”, not for a fire). So I then here literally, just had to hold my breath in until the smoke subsided; and also at other times, over the next years, when walking through the dorm halls, (especially during the weekends), sleep with a gas mask (due to a later, weed-chimney-smoking “suitemate”), and pray that this is the worst that it will ever get at this, at-the-very-least-supposed-to-be drug-free, SDA Campus. 

            Being now quite disillusioned just one month in[2]|[3], by actually the nonchalant, effectively, institutional condoning of such, even illegal, behavior, {and, as expressed here, it indeed is: ‘at the point where passion and treachery meet, that disillusionment begins’}, I hung on to some hope in an assumption that the “religious segment” of this campus was free from such blatant waywardness. {...but any ‘(indifferent) “love” that would be built on such an overall basis of various lies, would indeed be an arduous endeavor’ =Isa 28:14-15ff}... Well it, quite sequiturly, did not take long for that belief to also be blown away.

What’s in a Localized Name?

I.e., What’s in Localizing a Name?

           Quite briefly said here, -because anything longer would actually be belabouring the point, chances are you’ve come across a believer who is absolute obstinate that God must be addressed, and referred to, according to the Hebraic rendering. Thus God (or is it suppose to be “G-d”[1]) is to be referred to as Yahweh (or is it YHWH), Elohim, etc., ; Jesus as Yeshua, and the likes. Such a point is even elevated to some sort of salvific issue. Well..., actually, tersely said here...: 'Preach that to, even, the Inspired/Spirit-led, Greek-writing authors of the New Testament!'[2]

Commentary: The Ministry of David Gates

The Ministry of David Gates and His "Lazarus Experience"[1] 

Blog Post Sections
David Gates’ Lazarus Experience
- The Spiritual Implication/Application of Gates’ Lazarus Experience
- Conclusion
Epilogue - Laodicean Dilemma
Epilogue II - (June 2010+)
- Gates’ Second Prophetic Campaign
Epilogue IIB - “Lazarus Is Dead”
- GMI Statement to General Conference {Feb. 28, 2013}
- GC vs. GMI Decision {May 26, 2013}
Epilogue III - Gates’ 9/11/2010 Crisis!??

Epilogue IIIB - (November 2010+)

New re-Beginnings!!? - (Faith Camp Series Jun-July 2011)

September 2011+ Regretting Relapsing!??

April 2012+ The Rekindled Torch of False “Prophetic” Revivings

November 2013 - Australia Series

September 2015 - Pope's U.S. Visit & ‘Seasons-Setting’

Nov/December 2015 - Australia Series

March 2018: Gates’ Latest Time Setting Claim: “Late March 2019”
=Gates’: “Even at the Doors” 2019 Claim Controversy



[To download a PDF copy of (part of) this post see here (PDF link)]



David Gates’ Lazarus Experience
            If one has a serious interest in seeking to finish the Gospel work, chances are that they’ve come across the ministry of David Gates, and heard his exciting testimony. If not, one can find all this information on his website at Gospel Ministry International. To say the least, David Gates conducts Gospel Missions at the Extreme. This is indeed his motivation. Self-admittedly, he has grown tired of the institutionalized way in which the Seventh-day Adventist Church has endeavoured to finish the work, and he instead preaches and encourages much bolder, and more rapid, efforts, all based upon an implicit and explicit faith on the promises of God, and what God can do. Theoretically speaking, in a Church that quasi-mantra-like professes to believe that ‘Jesus’s coming is imminent... “Even at the Door”’ (as if mere professions fulfill the concrete Mission), combined with the communication technology which is currently available in the Church, it is surprising, even shocking, that David Gates has even had to preach his messages on this topic more than once. Such a faith and action rousing message, which is quite feasible when the numbers are crunched, should have caused the worldwide Church to spring into concrete, unprecedented action. However it still has not.

The Actual Year of Christ's Birth

The Actual Year of Christ's Birth

While the ascertainment of the precise year in which Jesus Christ was actually born may

not have any soteriological implications, it does contribute greatly to the historicity of Christ, and thus a basis for belief in Him. It is currently, commonly assumed/accepted that the Year of Christ birth was ca. 5/4 B.C. (based upon the accepted date of Herod’s death). As it is widely known this date corrected the 4-year mistake made by 5th century A.D. monk Dionysius Exiguus in his calculation of Christ’s birth. However not even this corrected date is the right one as there are several key corroborating points found in the Bible and History that strongly point to an earlier date for Christ’s birth, namely in ca. 8 B.C. Here are these main key points, here quite succinctly presented, but to be expounded upon in greater detail in a forthcoming book on the topic.

Text-Proof - Reply To Message

The following is from a reply that was given to an emailed reply commenting on the Testimony to the Church Part 1 Message. The reply basically was a listing of passages that were suppose to refute that message. Each of the cited passages were responded to and interpreted in their proper Biblical context. Comments in Gray background with bold text are the emailer's comments/cited texts.

[Originally Composed in September/October 2000]

THE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION

            As I start out on my Biblical refutation of your attempts to justify the SDA Church, I will lay down the following two mandatory principle. The first one is one that is clearly defined in a introductory speech that Dr. Hans K. Larondelle had made at an annual gathering of the  “Continuing Education for the Ministry.” He said, and I quote:

            “Nineteen-seventy-four seems to be a new beginning in Adventist eschatology; because the General Conference had then organized a series of Bible studies called Symposium on the Biblical Hermeneutic [the science of Biblical interpretation]. And most of us will have that book of that title. Under the leadership of Gordon Hyde. It seems to me that that year, and that series of Bible studies, all over the United States, and then snowballing over other parts of the world, was inaugurating the end of a certain phase-which I would call the ‘old style “proof-text” method.’  Not that we are no longer using proof texts. But the old style of detached proof-text method, that was popular, and that I also have used for many years to prove our doctrines. And there is nothing wrong with proving a doctrine, as long as we know what we’re doing. But this symposium on Biblical hermeneutics, with the supervision of the General Conference, all over the world, was teaching our ministry that we have to do a little better with handling the Bible.

The Genesis Flood - Global, Localized or Weighted

The Genesis Flood: Global vs. Localized, or instead: Targetedly-Weighted

            An issue of debate that typically comes up with the account of the Genesis Flood is whether or not it was a planet-wide destruction or only a localized event, i.e., solely where people actually lived at the time. The following is a brief, currently cursory and non-exhaustive, overview on the various Biblical and Physical Science reasons why it is more likely than not that the Flood in Genesis was crafted/targeted by God to much more destroy the inhabited portions of the earth then vs. the parts which were not so inhabited. And in such a precise, “surgical”, i.e. targeted, flooding event, God would have demonstrated His great power and control over nature in, even cataclysmic conditions and circumstances, with, as it will be seen, the concrete purposes of ecological preservation and fair (effects of) judgement, especially in regards to yet-to-live generations.

Commentary - Ed Reid - 7-Year Christian Mortgage?!?

Ed Reid  - ‘Mortgage Debt Should Not Be Longer Than 7 Years (Deut 15:1)’

By My Spirit - Love Not The World. [3ABN #27]

[00:06:43-00:08:02]

SDA Statement: “...the Bible says that we are the salt of the earth, it also calls us the light of the world, but unfortunately many times the world is salting us more than we are salting it. And I'll give you this illustration: let's pretend like someone who does not believe in the Bible, or doesn't follow the Bible's guidance in his everyday living, wants to buy or build a house, how's he going to do it if he doesn't have the money? Well, he'll go to the bank and become qualified and get a loan. Unless he tells the banker different, the loan will be for 30 years. That's the typical thing in the US, but let's just say that a Christian, Bible believer, decides he wants to buy or build a house, he doesn't have the cash to pay for it, so he goes to get a loan, what will he do?

            Well, the interesting thing is unfortunately the Christian will do almost exactly the thing that the non-Christian does, and that's get a 30-year mortgage, without a second thought actually, in spite of the fact that the Bible indicates we should not be in debt longer than...you know, don't you?

God’s Original, and “Very Good”, Intent (Gen 2:18; 1:31a)

             In the course of this discussion about Ernie Knoll, the spurious claim was made here that in a then just released new study entitled “Dress for Today” [1]: ‘Knoll was moving towards a ‘lewdness/nudity’ direction by advocating, out of an (assumed to be canard) health concern, that women should not wear bras (pp. 4-8) or underwear (p. 9)’. However, as I pointed out in response here, that study is actually quite reliably and historically documented, including from valid counsel from the SOP. It indeed does not take much scientific knowledge to perceive that the various constant containment and/or artificial shaping “stresses” from both female and male undergarments can have adverse effects.[2] I personally have not seen a valid reason to disagree with the health concerns/reasons cited with the statement that, especially modern undergarments, are/can be detrimental to one’s health, -and really, the counsel to ‘not wear them as much as possible’, is only controversial today, as compared to, e.g., the pre-1863 days of EGW when that was the norm, because of how the “final layer” of dress has today become quite scanty, sheer and/or “fringed”...when not outrightly “lacunistic”. However, while I don’t disagree there, I actually disagree with a concluding opining claim made in that study, which I have variously heard echoed by others, including SDA’s, indeed along the following lines:

...Without a Niqab!

Reasonable Accommodation or Hypocritical Exigence?

A Religious View

            Following a local commotion in the province of Quebec following a request of a Muslim group to have their meals at a public Sugar Shack specially prepared in accordance to Muslim religious dietary requirements and the clearing of the main floor for prayers, the question of ‘what was a “reasonable accommodation” in regards to religious groups’ became a vigorously debated topic for a while. In fact, during these times, a special 30-minute “Second Look” documentary was aired on this issue in which (Quebec) Seventh-day Adventists and the Sabbath work accommodations granted to them took up half of it.[1]

The Church Triumphant

 [Originally Composed and Released: (starting on) April 19, 2006 - See Forum Discussions here]

“Show the World”[1] - The Triumphant Church [=CCh 308.4]

Is Capitalism Biblical and Should (SDA) Christians Be “Going Along” With It?

I. The Crisis

II. The Cause

III. The Root Cause

IV. The Alternative

V. The Resources

VI. Decision Time

VII. The Endtime Mandate

VIII. The Biblical Challenge

IX. The Project

X. Further Information 

                                                             

I. The Crisis

           One of the foremost questions posed by unbelievers concerning Christianity, and God in particular, is: How could God exist when there is so much suffering in the world? Where is "your God" when so many people are gratuitously dying? They cannot reconcile how a loving God can allow all these things to go on. But in reality, the question that should be asked is : Where is God’s Church and His people in this world? Where are his supposed “ambassadors” and “representatives” in the face of the world's humanitarian needs?

Theological Musings

Theological Musings (Bible|SOP)

This dedicated blog post is for various inceptive Theological ideas that I have come to

have but which I have not yet studied out in full detail. However I have thus far found enough Bible and SOP support to consider them as valid/viable. Similar ideas that have been discovered and posted elsewhere in this blog, most even developed as full study posts, or even, as done in this post, have been posted in succinct summarizations and snippets. However this blog post is being dedicated only to inceptive and inchoative ideas, which will most likely later be expanded. As much as possible, the major points/reasons why they are being considered as potentially valid/viable Theological Views is also cited. They are posted as they may be Spiritually/Theologically beneficial to others. So here are my, more than less, exegetically noticed/observed Theological Musings:

Response to some Skeptics

-First of all, before reading through my own, rather “animositic”, forum discussion, I recommend viewing the following, ‘Versus Skepticism’ subject-matter related, presentation by Pastor&Apologist Mike Winger. It also serves as a summation for his 20-part series: "Evidence For the Bible"

[Note: In matters of prophetic interpretation I recommend to instead see the pertinent posts on this blog to get the Biblical and most accurate {i.e. non-Futurist-Dispensationalist} interpretation.[1] Namely for: (Daniel 2 here); (Part 3): Daniel 7 here & Daniel 8 here; (Part 9): Daniel 9 here; (Part 5): Daniel 11 here]

________________________

So I, myself, had recently gotten involved, contrary to my initially, logical thinking given the fact that all should have been easily resolved upon my initial, factual correction in regards to the Angus T. Jones story...but no, the vexed correctee had to resort to ad hominem attacks, no doubt thinking/assuming that I would just mindlessly take it and ‘turn the other cheek’, but he happened to have attacked me, and I just knew I was not going to let that stand. So we were having our discussion, however typically moronic, vacuous and quibbling there answers increasingly got, and as then also typical when such morons are defeated, they then resort to strong arming tactics such as there barring me from replying but them continuing to make their stupid claims and comments, -for that is the only way that they can be seen to be right. So here, since I have some time to burn, and given the Proverbs 26:4-5 imperative, I’ll, as succinctly as possible, be responding to those unanswered additional comments. Their comments are in bold with their name preceding them, mine (“NJK:”) are in normal font weight.

Angus T. Jones’ Conversion Testimony

December 3, 2012

God’s Inherent Object Lessons in the Conversion of Angus T. Jones to Seventh-day Adventism

            I am glad to hear of the conversion of child TV/Movie star, now 19 year old, Angus T. Jones to the Remnant (SDA) Church message, and, personally, not at all because ‘a celebrity has joined the SDA Church’, but, just from reading and seeing the various interviews that he has given about his conversion, you can see that, unlike the many knee-jerk claims, in the secular world, he has a sound personal and spiritual grasp of both the Christian message in general as well as the furthering distinctive truths of the Remnant (SDA) Church itself, -and in my view, on many key levels, he actually has a more advanced understanding of what God expects of a true/full follower of Him than most SDA’s both individually and corporately. Much (digital) “ink” and “film” has been set forth on Jones’s conversion, so I won’t be going into those details in this blog post commenting [See some links in this note[1]], however it just jumped to my face how this conversion of Jones highlighted the pointed reason why God is deliberately withholding the expected Latter Rain blessing on the SDA Church: because were He to do so, and then the Church would routinely make the headlines as it did in recent days surrounding Jones’s statement against the TV show he is (currently) contractedly obligated to work on, then the world would simultaneously see all of the entrenched and revered “abominations”, -for lack of a spiritually more descriptive term, that reign supreme in the Church. (6T 370.3).

Pleading Proverbs 26:4, 5

Pleading Proverbs 26:4 & 5 (NASB)

            That’s it!... Enough is enough!!... After years of not pleading either of the cognate statements in Proverbs 26:4 & 5 for the incredulously nonsensical statements made by, particularly, SDA Preachers, who could, and should, know better, this is literally the ‘drop that makes my cup overflow!’ It is almost the default stance of SDA Preachers, in an attempt to address difficult/controversial passages to engage in a “smoke and mirrors” approach, (at best), or use diversionary, denigrating tactics all in order to not have to admit that they really do not have an answer. The other option is to try to “dumb down” a discussion (ala: ‘the square root of 2 is simply 1’) so that the involved, core issues may actually never surface. In the light of the many available and accessible Adventist Colleges and Universities within the Denomination, resorting to such “dumbing down” attitude has absolute no acceptable rationalization, excuse or justification.

Book Preview: God All Mighty

Divine Foreknowledge or Divine Foreplanning?

            The topic of the foreknowledge of God has come to be one of the most controversial, even divisive, theological issues in Christianity. However, like many other Bible topics, the precise truth as to what the Bible actually, specifically teaches on this topic can be arrived at by proper exegetical Biblical study. Proper exegesis of course is not reading into a text an outside, preconceived/supposed meaning, but extracting the meaning provided by the text itself. Unfortunately, many in the study of this topic, have, presumably, inadvertently, imposed a preconceived notion into the passages of the Bible that involve ‘God and the future.’ This has led to a detrimental, incorrect, and inconsistent, and thus unbiblical, tangential view on who God is, His Power, His Ways and His Character.

            It must be emphasized that whatever one can come to know about God, can really only come from the revelation He Himself has given in Scripture.

The Wisdom of Children of this Age

The "Wisdom" of the Children in the Dark

Link to Online Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2GhchZxqEQ 

             In a recent presentation on Post-Modernism at ASI 2009, It Is Written Speaker/Director Shawn Boonstra (Seminar #1 ~ 18:13ff - clip posted above), makes a comment in regards to the documentary work of Michael Moore which is quite hard to believe.

The Historical Two Witnesses of Revelation (Rev 11:1-14)

Historic-al/-ist Precedents for the Eschatological Fulfilment of Rev 11

            The present blog post is for a commentary|exposition on  the interpretation and fulfillment of the Two Witnesses prophecy of Rev 11 from the Biblically valid Historical/Historicist perspective. There are many (much more than less) good/valid such expositions out there, -mainly presented by SDA evangelists/expositors such as the following:

Historicist|SDA Intepretation Video Presentations                        

Kenneth Cox - Give Me the Bible Series: The Two Witnesses (=Rev 11:1-6) & The Beast from Bottomless Pit (=Rev 11:7-13) {also here & here}
Kenneth Cox - Revelation of Jesus Christ Part 14 - Two Witnesses {also here|here}

Ranko Stefanovich - #16 - Two Witnesses {transcript+}

Wes Peppers - God's Answer to Modern Atheism

Doug Batchelor - The Two Witnesses

Walter Veith - The Beast from the Bottomless Pit

Historicist|SDA Interpretation Websites

Revelation Bible Prophecy Ch. 11 - Revelations Two Witnesses

Bible Explained - The story of the two witnesses; The third woe

Andrews University Seminary Studies - “The Reign of Terror”

(Cf. this 2016, 515-page, comprehensive subject-matter literature, AUSS Dissertation [Online/PDF] on (mainly) the identity of the 2 Witnesses)

Ministry Magazine (1940) - Two Witnesses in Prophecy
Amazing Discoveries - Revelation 11 Commentary

            As usual with prophetic presentations in this blog, the purpose here is not to “reinvent the wheel”, but rather to fix any key errors in those other presentations and/or upgrade them to provide more accurate exegesis, interpretations/understandings and applicaftions. As the very first message of this ministry to be widely published, back in June 2000, was the present day Eschatological Age fulfillment of the Two Witnesses of Rev 11. Back then, an exposition on the historical fulfillment was virtually entirely not discussed, with just the similar eschatological application, but now with different main players (i.e. the SDA Church replacing the prior Roman Catholic Church to be judged (Rev 11:1) having been changed. However, as the Historical fulfillment of this prophecy (i.e. from 538 A.D. to 1798) provided an important background and template to properly understand the eschatological fulfillment. This is now being presented in this post.

            Again not every element of the Historical prophecy will be re-expounded on in detail here, -but only when they need to be bettered, so do see the above cited presentation/exposition references for such expounding, and these betterments will serve to better grasp the pivotal part of this prophecy, pointedly the “3.5 days (=3.5 years)” of Rev 11:9, which main SDA expositors themselves contend, more than less acceptably so, -i.e. for merely a Historicist Wave of fulfillment application, that it transpired roundly between ca. Nov. 24/26, 1793 and June 17, 1797 (=1260+39/41=1299/1301 days) during the French Revolution...And along with this better key understanding are the other two major time portions of: the 42 months (Rev 11:2) and the 1260 days (Rev 11:3); plus the seemingly non-substantive, but contextually sequitur/related, “hour” of Rev 11:13. It will be shown & seen that these portions, along with the entire prophetic statements from Rev 11:1-8a, have a dual application within just the Historical wave of fulfilment of the prophecy. The First Application of that Historical Wave was fulfilled in Church History and the Second Application had a most emblematic special application within the time of the French Revolution itself. So with that background, here is a Biblically and Spiritually “upgraded” understanding of the Prophecy of the Two Witnesses...and as an overviewing guide to the detailed discussions in this post, here is the Master Timeline of the Historical & Eschatological Chronological Prophetic Events in/for (and related to), this most pivotal prophecy:

Testimony To The Church Part 1

[Note: See the precedenting, -but now/here Eschatologically-advanced, (thematically&chronologically accurate) Historical fulfillment (=538-1798 AD: Catholic vs. Reformers Ordeal+French Revolution+Papacy “Wounding”) of this prophecy in this dedicated post].

[Initially Released: June 26, 2000]

            Rev 11:1

Then a reed similar to one of a measuring rod [cf. in 1T 577.2b] was given to me, causing to be said: “[Make it your top priority to] raise up yourself, and [begin to] measure/judge/evaluate [see Matt 7:1-2 = “indict” (Gr. krino #2919 = Rev 19:11 -see in here] the sanctuary [belonging to] God, [that is] both the Altar  (i.e., priestly/Temple ministry[1]) and the ones who worship in it.”

            The Seventh-day Adventist Church, as God’s Faithful Remnant of Israel has been a movement of prophecy. But as God’s Israel, God fore-envisioned that there would come a day when the church would lose its initial zeal for Him. Like the spring at the peak of Heliopolis that “flows hot from the spring, but cools as it flows down the hillside-depositing minerals-[and] flows warm past Laodicea"[2] (lit. expresses the pivotal need for a “righteous people/laity” LDE 49.1; RH, August 19, 1890 par. 10-11; June 19, 1888 par. 5), God, who ‘can “foresee” the probable deeds of this Church’ (Rev 3:15) knew well-enough that His tremendously blessed end-time chosen people would eventually literally become a stagnating, nauseating pool of lukewarm water; with the citings of being: “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” indicating attained collectively deficiencies in ‘character, spirit/psyche, socio-economy, physical wellness and image/dignity,’ respectively. (Rev 3:16-17).