He Comes Soon, Are You Ready?

In Matthew 24, Jesus said that there would be wars and rumours of wars, false prophets, false christs, famines, and pestilences in many places.

In this prophecy, there are three phases. Jesus says that there will be wars, but that the end is not yet. He then introduces us to another phase – nation rising against nation. In this phase, we see famine, and because of famine, pestilence (disease) on a large scale, and great earthquakes which bring devastation to the inhabited areas of the world. All this He says is the beginning of sorrow.

We see today the reality of this phase. Next, He introduces the third phase – persecution. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted (persecuted), and shall kill you. Matt. 24:9.

And just who are these who are to be persecuted and killed? Those who are the faithful and true, who have not bowed the knee to Baal, will be hated of all nations.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. They have bought from Jesus the gold tried in the fire – faith and love. They are those who have perfected their characters to the point that, in the closing moments, they are able to respond as Jesus would to every situation. They are those who have steadfastly refused the mark of the beast. They are the ones who may go to a martyr’s grave. Rev. 20:4.

Martyrs

John 16:2. “Every individual in our world will be arrayed under one of two banners. The two armies will stand distinct and separate, and this distinction will be so marked that many who shall be convinced of truth will come on the side of God’s commandment-keeping people. When this grand work is to take place in the battle, prior to the last closing conflict, many will be imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many will be martyrs for Christ’s sake in standing in defense of truth. By the decree enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation (United States) will disconnect herself fully from righteousness…

“When the fifth seal was opened, John the Revelator in vision saw beneath the altar the company that were slain for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. After these come the scenes described in the eighteenth of Revelation, when those who are faithful and true are called out from Babylon. Christ will restore the life taken; for He is the life-giver. He will beautify the righteous with immortal life.” Maranatha 199.

Blessed with the security of good homes and professions and the freedom to go to church on Sabbath, Laodiceans are slow to comprehend Daniel’s prediction: “There shall be a time of trouble such as never was.” Dan. 12:1.

Signs of the End Fast Fullfilments, Sunday Laws Are Just Around the Corner Wonderful events are soon to open before the world. The end of all things is at hand. The time of trouble is about to come upon the people of God. Then it is that the decree will go forth forbidding those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord to buy or sell, and threatening them with punishment, and even death if they do not observe the first day of the week as the Sabbath.

The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther… Satan instigated the scheme in order to rid the earth of those who preserved the knowledge of the true God. But his plots were defeated by a counter-power that reigns among the children of men…

The protestant world today see in the company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate. His character and conduct, expressing reverence for the law of God, are a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling upon His Sabbath, the unwelcome intruder must by some means be put out of the way.

The same masterful mind that plotted against the faithful images past is still seeking to rid the earth of those who fear God and obey His law. Satan will excite indignation against the humble minority who conscientiously refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God…

Not having a “thus saith the Scriptures” to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack… On this battlefield comes the last great conflict of the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Now, as in the days of Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people. Maranatha 198.

Climactic Events Are Before Us

God cannot forbear much longer. Already His judgments are beginning to fall on some places, and soon his signal displeasure will be felt in other places. There will be a series of events revealing that God is master of the situation.
The truth will be proclaimed in clear, unmistakable language. As a people we must prepare the way of the Lord and the overruling guidance of the Holy Spirit. Test. Vol. 9, p. 96.

More and more, as the days go by, it is becoming apparent that God’s judgments are in the world. In fire and flood and earthquake He is warning the inhabitants of the earth of His near approach. The time is nearing when the great crises in the history of the world will have come, when every movement in the government of God will be watched with intense interest and inexpressible apprehension. In quick succession, the judgments of God will follow one another – fire and flood, and earthquake, with war and bloodshed.

Oh, that the people might know the time of their visitation. There are many who have not yet heard the testing time for this time. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving.

The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who had not the opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter.

The mercy of God is shown in His long forbearance. He is holding back His judgments, waiting for the message of warning to be sounded. Oh, if our people would feel as they should, the responsibility resting upon them to give the last message of mercy to the world, what a wonderful work would be done!

Behold the cities, and their need of the Gospel! The need of earnest labourers among the multitudes of the cities has been kept before me for more than 20 years. Who are carrying a burden for the large cities? Test. Vol. 9, p. 97.

We believe this series of events has already begun, and soon will come a sudden change in the way God deals with man.
Do you believe that the Lord is corning and that the last great crisis is about to break upon the world?

There will soon be a sudden change in God’s dealings. The world in its perversity is being visited by casualties – by floods, storms, fires, earthquakes, famines, wars, and bloodsheds. The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; yet He will not at all acquit the wicked. “The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm and clouds are the dust of His feet. O that men might understand the patience and longsuffering of God! He is putting under restraint His own attributes. Fundamentals of Christian Education 356.

Now is the time to prepare. Tomorrow is too late. Jer. 8:20.
Are you a real child of God? If not, why not?

Sirbu Alin Emanuel
Finland