Since evil entered the world after the sin of our first parents, we can see the consequences everywhere. Unfortunately, most people are in a deplorable condition. They are seemingly not bothered by the situation; instead, they are inventing philosophies and new theories to challenge God. Almost everyone is busy looking for money, fame, lust of flesh, and cares of the world, like the Antediluvian world. When I consider the recent and current generations:
Generations by pngkit. (n d). https://www.pngkit.com/bigpic/u2e6q8i1u2u2q8r5/
“Baby Boomers” are anyone born between 1946 and 1964; “Generation X” born in the mid-1960s to early 1980s; “Generation Y” born after 1981 to early 2000s (Millennials), “Generation Z” born 2001 to 2014 (Zillennials). I always wonder about the generations after Generation Z; the majority of this generation is addicted to social media and cellphones, is less social, and unconscious to divine matters. Technology is controlling them. This reminds me that we are living in the end times—which started in 1798. It is a special and solemn period of time. It is the last chapter of this world’s history.
“We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude.
“The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating. They are strengthening for the last great crisis. Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” –Counsels for the Church, p. 37
Many in the world enjoy watching and reading news about politics, catastrophes, pandemics, incest, domestic violence, etc., They give no thought about the future—what will happen when they die? What lies ahead is eternal life or death and it is up to us to choose today before the door of mercy closes.
“The condition of things in the world shows that troublous times are right upon us. The daily papers are full of indications of a terrible conflict in the near future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed of demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. Men have become infatuated with vice, and every species of evil prevails. The enemy has succeeded in perverting justice and in filling men’s hearts with the desire for selfish gain. ‘Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.’ Isaiah 59:14. In the great cities there are multitudes living in poverty and wretchedness, well-nigh destitute of food, shelter, and clothing; while in the same cities are those who have more than heart could wish, who live luxuriously, spending their money on richly furnished houses, on personal adornment, or worse still, upon the gratification of sensual appetites, upon liquor, tobacco, and other things that destroy the powers of the brain, unbalance the mind, and debase the soul. The cries of starving humanity are coming up before God, while by every species of oppression and extortion men are piling up colossal fortunes.” –Ibid., p. 37
From the beginning God has worked through His people to bring blessings to the world. Those who profess to believe in Jesus should ever press towards the light. They should daily pray for the light of the Holy Spirit to shine upon the pages of the sacred book, that they may be able to comprehend the things of the Spirit of God. We must have implicit trust in God’s word, or we are lost.
God regards us as His children. He has redeemed us out of the careless world and has chosen us to become members of the royal family, sons and daughters of the heavenly King. He invites us to trust in Him with a trust deeper and stronger than that of a child in his earthly father. Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. It is immeasurable. If earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more shall our Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
“God is leading a people out from the world upon the exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His people. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing, and another having faith and views entirely opposite; each moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, they will all come to the unity of the faith.” –Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White, p. 201
We Should Be Doers of the Word
“God has told us what to do in our lifework, and how to form characters for the future, immortal life. If we pay heed to the instructions given, we shall be doers of the word. His words are not permissions, not suggestions, but the decisions of an infallible Judge. They are divine maxims, the very specified laws which will judge us in the last days. No man is excusable for acting as though he were at liberty to cancel the decisions of God, to disregard His directions and injunctions, to review them, criticize them, reverse them as he sees fit. The words of God are righteousness and truth, but they are strangely unheeded. If men cannot shape His sayings to their liking, they depart from His directions, and break His commandments. But thank God we have the living oracles, the lamp of life, and he only is wise who walks in the light. God cannot change the word that has gone out of His lips. Man cannot depart from God’s plans, except at the peril of his soul. He cannot sit safely in judgment upon the word of God; for that word is to judge him when he shall stand before the great white throne. Let all bear in mind that the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every one shall be judged according to his works.
“The religion of every man must be in harmony with the Bible. No man can disregard one word of God, or walk contrary to his expressed will, receiving or rejecting it as he pleases, and be guiltless in the judgment. He will be brought face to face with the record, and will have to answer to the charge against him.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 4, p. 450
“The soul must fully own the power and authority of the word of God. Then, though we may make mistakes, we always have a touchstone by which to test our ways and a standard by which we may, by true service, recall the heart and conscience..” –Ibid., p. 451
We need to have reverence for who God is, and to be in fear (awe) of what He is capable of. We are called to be holy, recognizing God as the ultimate power in the universe. Such fear overcomes any other fear. If He is for you, nobody else can touch you without His permission. If He is against you because you have rebelled against Him, you can run, but you cannot hide
“We are living in the last days. The end of all things is at hand. The signs foretold by Christ are fast fulfilling. There are stormy times before us, but let us not utter one word of unbelief or discouragement. He who understands the necessities of the situation arranges that advantages should be brought to the workers in various places to enable them more effectively to arouse the attention of the people. He knows the needs and the necessities of the feeblest of His flock, and He sends His own message into the highways and the byways. He loves us with an everlasting love. Let us remember that we bear a message of healing to a world filled with sin-sick souls. May the Lord increase our faith and help us to see that He desires us all to become acquainted with His ministry of healing and with the mercy seat. He desires the light of His grace to shine forth from many places.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 167. Amen
Daniel Kimeu
Tanzania, The Gambia