Pastor David's Sermons

Say Yes to Jesus

5/17/08

Celebrating the Gift of Prophecy

2 Chron. 20:20

 

Today we commemorate one of the most important visions that God has ever given to a prophet.  It was on March 14, 1858, at a school-house in Lovett’s Grove, Ohio.  The publishing work had been moved from Rochester, New York, to Battle Creek, Michigan, in November of 1855.  Elder and Mrs. White made their home in Battle Creek, and after the work was well established there, they were able to travel, and visit companies of believers.  It was in connection to a visit that the Whites made to the state of Ohio in February and March of 1858, that the important Great Controversy vision was given to Ellen White.

 

The occasion was actually a funeral service, held at the school house.  Here is how Mrs. White described the event:

 

At Lovett’s Grove the Lord met with us, and His blessing rested upon us. First-day afternoon there was to be a funeral at the schoolhouse where our meetings were held. My husband was invited to give a discourseon the occasion. The people could not all get into the house. My husband was blessed with
freedom, and the power of truth seemed to affect the hearers.

When he closed his remarks, I felt urged by the Spirit of the Lord to bear my testimony. As I was led to speak upon the coming of Christ and the resurrection and the cheering hope of the Christian, my soul triumphed in God. I drank in rich draughts of salvation. Heaven, sweet heaven, was the magnet to
draw my soul upward, and I was wrapt in a vision of God’s glory.
Many important things were revealed to me for the church.

-- Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 2, 265, 266.

 

This vision lasted for two hours.  Ellen was given instruction regarding the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan, which she had seen in vision ten years earlier as well.  But it was more specific this time, and with additional details.

 

Mrs. White was warned that Satan would attack her and try to impede her work.  Here is how she described it:

 

In the vision at Lovett’s Grove, most of the matter which I had seen ten years before concerning the great controversy of the ages between Christ and Satan, was repeated, and I was instructed to write it out. I was shown that while I should have to contend with the powers of darkness, for Satan would make strong efforts to hinder me, yet I must put my trust in God, and angels would not leave me in the conflict. 

                                                                                                                            Life Sketches, 162

 

Just as the Lord had said, very soon Ellen and her family would experience severe attacks from Satan.  We are told that “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12.  Friend, if you make the decision to follow Jesus Christ and live to please Him in every way, the Bible says emphatically that you will suffer persecution!  The enemy of our souls will not like it one bit if you decide to live for God!  But you have to keep on doing what you know is right, no matter what the devil throws at you!  Isn’t that right?  Because you are on the winning team, and you have the Lord of heaven and earth on your side!

 

Just two days after Ellen received this vision, the personal attacks started.  Here is how she describes what happens:

 

Two days afterward, while journeying on the cars to Jackson, Mich., we arranged our plans for writing and publishing, immediately on our return home, the book entitled, "The Great Controversy between Christ and His Angels, and Satan and His Angels," commonly known as "Spiritual Gifts," Vol. 1.  I was then as well as usual.                   Life Sketches, 162

 

On the arrival of the train at Jackson, we went to Brother Palmer’s. We had been in the house but a short time, when, as I was conversing with Sister Palmer, my tongue refused to utter what I wished to say, and seemed large and numb. A strange, cold sensation struck my heart, passed over my head, and down my right side. For a time I was insensible, but was aroused by the voice of earnest prayer. I tried to use my left limbs, but they were perfectly useless.

                                                              Life Sketches, 162

 

For a short time I did not expect to live. It was my third shock of paralysis; and although within fifty miles of home, I did not expect to see my children again. I called to mind the triumphant season I had enjoyed at Lovett’s Grove, and thought it was my last testimony, and felt reconciled to die.

                                                              Life Sketches, 163

 

Still the earnest prayers of my friends were ascending to heaven for me, and soon a prickling sensation was felt in my limbs, and I praised the Lord that I could use them a little. The Lord heard and answered the faithful prayers of His children, and the power of Satan was broken. That night I suffered much, but the next day I was sufficiently strengthened to return home.

                                                              Life Sketches, 163

 

For several weeks I could not feel the pressure of the hand or the coldest water poured upon my head. In rising to walk, I often staggered, and sometimes fell to the floor. In this afflicted condition I began to write on the great controversy. At first I could write but one page a day, and then rest three days; but as I progressed, my strength increased. The numbness in my head did not seem to becloud my mind, and before I closed that work ["Spiritual Gifts," Vol. 1], the effect of the shock had entirely left me.         

                                                                Life Sketches, 163

 

At the time of the conference at Battle Creek, in June, 1858, I was shown in vision that in the sudden attack at Jackson, Satan intended to take my life, in order to hinder the work I was about to write; but angels of God were sent to my rescue. I also saw, among other things, that I should be blessed with better health than before the attack.

                                                              Life Sketches, 163

 

But it didn’t stop there. 

 

James White’s hard and dedicated labor with the publishing work came under fire.  His motives were misunderstood.  Satan did not like what he was trying to do in getting biblical truth out to people.  Mrs. White speaks of this period:

 

“…although the statement was frequently repeated, through the Review, that the publishing house was virtually the property of the church, yet as he was the only legal manager, our enemies took advantage of the situation, and under the cry of speculation did all in their power to injure him, and to retard the progress of the cause. Under these circumstances he introduced the matter of organization, which resulted in the incorporation of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, according to the laws of Michigan, in the spring of 1861.”

                                                     Life Sketches, 164

 

So, God turned Satan’s attacks into something beneficial for His church!  He will always go to bat for His people, when they determine in their hearts to serve Him and honor Him in all they do.

 

James White was often ill and feeble as a result of his labors for the church.  He and Ellen had to travel a lot to various speaking engagements and church meetings.  As a result, they had to leave their young children in the care of others whom they trusted.  This was a great concern to Mrs. White, and she often made mention of her struggle in having to be away from her children so often.  This situation grieved her.

 

The attacks of the devil continued, as Mrs. White continued to write what the Lord had instructed her to write.  In 1861, the White’s youngest son, Herbert, died at a very young age.  Of this event, Mrs. White said, “When that tender branch was broken, how our hearts did bleed none may know but those who have followed their little ones of promise to the grave.”  Life Sketches, 165

 

And again in 1863, their son Henry died, at the tender age of sixteen.  Of this event, Mrs. White wrote, “when our sweet singer was borne to the grave, and we no more heard his early song,--ours was a lonely home. Both parents and the two remaining sons felt the blow most keenly. But God comforted us in our bereavements, and with faith and courage we pressed forward in the work He had given us, in bright hope of meeting our children who had been torn from us by death, in that world where sickness and death will never come.”  Life Sketches, 165

 

The attacks continued.  Soon James White had what appears to have been a stroke, from which he, for the most part, recovered.  It was during this time that James and Ellen White came under deep conviction of God that they should publish a series of affordable tracts on topic of health.

 

THE STRONG CONVICTION OF ELDER AND MRS. WHITE, THAT THE REFORMS TO BE OUTLINED IN THESE PAMPHLETS WERE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE, IS THUS EXPRESSED IN A NOTE IN THE REVIEW, JAN. 24, 1865, CALLING ATTENTION TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST OF THE SERIES:

 

"WE WISH TO CALL THE ATTENTION OF THE BRETHREN EVERYWHERE TO THESE WORKS, PREPARED WITH ESPECIAL CARE, ON THE IMPORTANT SUBJECT OF A REFORM IN OUR MANNERS OF LIFE, WHICH IS GREATLY NEEDED, AND AS WE VIEW IT, WILL SURELY BE ACCOMPLISHED IN WHATEVER PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES AT LAST PREPARED FOR TRANSLATION."

                                                     Life Sketches, 167

 

DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1865 THIS SERIES WAS COMPLETED. THESE HEALTH PAMPHLETS, SIX IN NUMBER, CONTAINED ARTICLES FROM MRS. WHITE ON "DISEASE AND ITS CAUSES," and other subjects.

 

You can imagine that the enemy felt threatened by such a practical message that blended the Gospel of Jesus with guidance in matters of preventive health!  Satan likes to keep people bogged down with disease and sickness.  He doesn’t want them to adopt healthy habits, and he doesn’t want them to be happy.

 

Eventually James White’s life of toil and tireless labor for souls took a toll on him.  Mrs. White lost her husband at a relatively young age.

 

What I would like you to think about right now is HOW MUCH THIS KIND, HUMBLE LADY WENT THROUGH IN HER PERSONAL LIFE—ALL HER MANY STRUGGLES, HARDSHIPS, LOSSES, SICKNESS—ALL FOR THE SAKE OF REACHING OUT TO YOU AND ME AND OTHERS IN THIS WORLD.

 

THE NEXT TIME YOU HAVE A THOUGHT TO PICK UP ONE OF HER BOOKS, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS WAS A REAL PERSON, WITH REAL FEELINGS, REAL TEARS.  REMEMBER MRS. WHITE’S SACRIFICES THAT SHE MADE, WHILE WRITING THAT BOOK, AND CARRYING ON THE PROPHETIC MINISTRY GIVEN TO HER.

 

How easy it is for us to take her writings for granted; to not take them seriously; to ignore them.  And yet this woman suffered greatly at the hands of demonic forces so that we could be instructed with the guidance God gave His people for the last days.  May we never again be indifferent or careless about her writings ...

 

Content of the Vision

 

So, what did Ellen White see during those two hours, while she was in vision?  Well, first of all, God gave her insight about His people, and the work that is before them. 

“I saw that those who profess the truth should hold the standard high, and induce others to come up to it. I saw that some would have to walk the straight path alone. Their companions and children will not walk the self-denying pathway with them. Patience and forbearance should ever characterize the lives of those lone pilgrims, following the example of their blessed Master. They will have many trials to endure, but they have a hope that makes the soul strong, that bears them up above the trials of earth, that elevates them above scorn, derision and reproach.”

                                           Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pg. 266

 

She was shown that some of God’s people would have go it alone, and be the only faithful one in their entire family!  But they must carry on . . .

 

“But if your companions and children will not come, if you cannot win them to yield to the claims of truth, make their lives here as pleasant as possible; for all they will ever enjoy will be this poor world. But let not your duty to them interfere with your duty to God.  Pursue a straight-forward course. Let nothing they may do or say provoke an angry word from you. You have a hope that will yield you consolation amid the disappointments and trials of life. Your companions and children who will not be induced to tread the narrow, cross-bearing pathway with you, have not this divine consolation. They should have your pity, for this world is all the heaven they will have.

                                           Selected Messages, Vol.2, pg. 266

 

It’s sad, isn’t it.  It’s said that some of our family members will not experience the joys and reality of heaven and the new earth.  Oh, how we should endeavor to bring them to the lovely Jesus, so they can begin to walk in newness of life.

 

Mrs. White was shown, in this vision, some of the dangers that would ensnare God’s people:

 

“I was shown that all who profess the present truth would be tested and tried. Their love for Jesus’ coming will be proved, and manifested to others, whether it is genuine. All, I saw, would not stand the test. Some love this world so much that it swallows up their love for the truth.”

 

 “As their treasures here increase, their interest in the heavenly treasure decreases. The more they possess of this world, the more closely do they hug it to them, as if fearful their coveted treasure would be taken from them. The more they possess, the less do they have to bestow upon others, for the more they have, the poorer they feel. O, the deceitfulness of riches! They will not see and feel the wants of the cause of God.”

                                           Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pg. 267

 

So the Lord showed Mrs. White in vision that we should hold nothing back from Him in service to Him.  We belong to God, and all we have belongs to God.  We should submit it all to Him, for Him to take and use as He sees fit.  Our energies, our strengths, our funds, our possessions, our talents, our time, our ability, IT’S ALL GOD’S.

 

“But some love this world so well that they will not even for the immortal inheritance sacrifice their treasure here. They harden their hearts, and will not do their part as God has prospered them. They are fully tested. The world lives in their hearts, and the truth dies out. They lose the crowns laid up in heaven for them, and God raises up others who come up and fill their places, and take their crowns. Men are raised up who consider it a privilege to sacrifice something for Jesus who sacrificed so much for them.”

                                           Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pg. 268

 

In this vision she was shown the tremendous activity of the angels on our behalf:

 

“O that these covetous ones could get a view of heaven, of its purity, its loveliness, and behold the holy angels engaged in the salvation of man! All heaven astir! Angels are going forth on their mission, descending to watch over the tempted children of God, and shield them from the power of the evil angels. And while these angels are descending, others are ascending to bear their tidings for an additional angel to administer relief to this or that lone desponding one who is fiercely buffeted of Satan.”

 

 “Angels are constantly passing, and repassing each other, in their upward and downward flight, fulfilling their mission of love. Would that they could get sight of this. Me-thinks that they would catch a little of the zeal and fervor of these devoted angels, which they manifest for the salvation of man. It would inspire them with that interest which would call forth effort, and they would cheerfully sacrifice for the salvation of their fellow-man.”

                                           Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pg. 269

 

So, the Lovett’s Grove vision, or Great Controversy vision had a good deal of insight and instruction for God’s people living in the last days.  The vision warned Mrs. White about the coming attacks of the enemy.  The vision also repeated much of the content of the first great controversy vision, ten years before:

 

“In this vision at Lovett’s Grove, most of the matter of the Great Controversy which I had seen ten years before, was repeated, and I was shown that I must write it out.”

                                                              Life Sketches, 162

 

The important thing here is that Ellen was emphatically told to “write it out,”—to begin that process of putting meat on the bones, as it were.  She was to give an orderly account of the great battle between good and evil, Christ and Satan, from earliest times, to the end of the ages.  This series of writings would eventually be called the Conflict of the Ages series, consisting of five large books, Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, Desire of Ages, Acts of the Apostles, and Great Controversy.

 

So what do we have to gain from a study of these works?  How does it benefit us as individuals and as a people?  Why should we read these books, anyway?  After all, there are so many other things that we can do with our time.

 

 

Satan’s designs from earliest days

             

In the Conflict series, we learn about Satan’s plans and schemes from the earliest times until the end of time.  Through the gift of prophecy we are enabled to see behind the scenes at the real spiritual war that is occurring.  We see that sin started in heaven, not on the earth.  We see that it had to do with selfishness, jealousy, and hunger for power.

 

It’s important to know what the enemy has been up to throughout the ages, because he does not change his overall objectives.  He only changes his strategy.

 

Satan wants to destroy all knowledge of God in the universe; all allegiance to God; all worship of God.  He wants all control and power to himself.  He means to destroy as many of God’s creations as possible, because he is full of hatred for God and His ways.

 

That’s Satan’s overall goal, you might say.

 

But his strategy is modified for each new generation of people.  What works for one generation may not be effective for another.  But it gets even worse than that!  Satan’s forces are so well organized that there are demons who specialize in reaching certain kinds of people, and in promoting certain kinds of sins.

 

Where do we get such incredible insights into the very real spiritual war that is going on in our lives?  Yes, from the Bible indeed, but God has given us very specific guidance through the spirit of prophecy, and we find it in these powerful books!  We find out all about Satan’s plans and tricks in this remarkable five-book series!  The Conflict of the Ages series.

 

God’s intervention to teach man the way of salvation

                       

We discover also that our Father in heaven has not left us alone to suffer and perish in our sins, at the hands of demonic forces.  In these remarkable books we see laid out before us a remarkable divine plan to lead the human race, one person at a time, safely into the arms of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Through the Hebrew sacrificial system, the people learned that the wages of sin is death.  Every animal that they brought to the altar represented Jesus, who would lay down His life for us sins.  In the Conflict of the Ages series, you really see all the ways God intervened in human history to teach people the way of salvation.  You see Jesus represented by signs and symbols in the Old Testament, and you see Jesus Himself appear in the New Testament.  You see how He set up His church, and how He is operating in the final generations of the faithful.

 

Trust in God

 

One thing that really comes out of a regular reading of Mrs. White’s books is an overwhelming conviction that trusting God is important.  It is so exciting to see the Bible stories come to life through word-painting.  It’s wonderful to discover how the Lord took care of people, even in the midst of adversity.  He has not changed!  He still takes care of His people, when they put their trust in Him.

 

But oh, how tempting it is to take matters into our own hands, out of desperation.  The devil tries to get us to do this, knowing that if he can cause us to disobey God in some area, then he has effectively broken the power of God in our lives.  Because God only gives His power and abiding presence to those who trust Him enough to obey Him, no matter what.

 

So we must refuse to listen to the enemy’s voice when he tempts us to disobey God in order to take care of ourselves and those we love.  GOD HAS A MUCH BETTER PLAN IN STORE FOR US, IF WE WILL JUST WAIT ON HIM, AND LET HIM LEAD.

 

Blessings of obedience, disastrous results of disobedience

 

Something that really sticks out noticeably in her writings is the connection of obedience to blessings, and the connection of disobedience to disaster.  We see this again and again through these five books.  Story after story.  You know, they are called Bible “characters” for a reason!

 

You see people like Moses, Esther, and Paul who, though they weren’t perfect, still decided to obey God when it came right down to it.  And they were blessed with the abiding presence of God, and His favor, for doing so!

 

And you see people like Cain, Ahaz, and Solomon, who disobeyed the Lord, and it led to disaster—not only for themselves, but for those around them as well.  Indeed, the Lord can only be present and strong in a person’s life if that person has decided to obey Him in every way.  The Lord can prosper the person who is dedicated to serving Him.

 

The attempts of the enemy to destroy God’s people

                       

In the writings of Mrs. White, we are given a behind-the-scenes look at the devil’s attempts to destroy God’s people through the years:

 

Through sin in Eden

     Satan started right off deceiving Adam and Eve in the garden.  He didn’t waste any time at all.  Sin and sinfulness spread from there.

 

Through perversion and selfishness: Noah’s time

     By the time you get to the time of Noah, the world is immersed in evil and wickedness.  Every imaginable perversion and vice was practiced.  Satan truly believed that if he could cause people to become so evil, like himself, He would have no choice but to destroy all of them and to admit that it was a mistake to create the human race.

     But the devil didn’t know how serious God was in restoring people to His image.  The devil didn’t know how committed God was to preserving for Himself a remnant, who were obedient and faithful.  It wasn’t the end; just a pause.

 

Through forgetting God, idolatry

     Forgetting God was a big problem for God’s people.  They got wrapped up in the habits and customs of their surrounding culture, and it ruined them.  It led to all sorts of sins, including idol-worshipping and fornication.

     When we forget God—when we take our eyes off Him, off His Word, His ways, His teachings—we become just like our surrounding culture as well.  We are no different than the people of Solomon’s day.  It’s a slippery slope!  We compromise in one area of our lives, and soon our entire world is full of compromise and sin and disobedience.

 

This is what we see and understand when we take the time to READ WHAT GOD HAS SPOKEN THROUGH HIS PROPHETS!  THIS IS WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY!

 

The danger today: more informed by TV/internet/entertainment industry than by the Word of God      

          Today we live in a very dangerous world!  There are more ways to sin today than at any other time in this world’s history!  And where are God’s people?  They are sitting in front of a TV or computer watching things that have been created by non-Christians who couldn’t care less about obeying God!  We listen to things that would make the angels of God weep!  We allow images, sounds, and words into our brains that are slowly but surely changing the very way we think and process!

          Like Lot, Daniel and Esther, we are surrounded by wickedness, sinfulness, violence, magical charm, and hypnotizing music!  The difference between these three individuals and us is that they rejected what was around them, AND WE EMBRACE IT!

 

My brother, my sister, if ever we needed the Lord before, we sure do need Him now!

 

If ever we needed the protecting, safeguarding insight of heaven, it is now!  We do ourselves damage when we neglect to read the Bible and the writings of his modern-day prophet!  There is so much guidance that has been given to us who live on the very borders of eternity!  It’s right there at our fingertips!

 

     Through “religious” means: Pharasaism/Papacy/Modern Christendom

     Another way that Satan has used to destroy God’s people has been religious in nature.  That shouldn’t surprise us, really.  The devil has been around a while, and he is quite familiar with the Bible and with church stuff and with liturgy and such.

     The devil was successful in planting the notion of self-righteousness in an entire generation of religious leaders, in Jesus’ time.  The Pharisees were so full of themselves that they couldn’t even tell that robbing a poor widow was wrong.  REMEMBER THIS: IF SATAN CANNOT DESTROY YOU THROUGH A SINFUL LIFESTYLE, HE WILL TRY TO DESTROY YOU THROUGH SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

     We must trust fully in the Lord Jesus Christ for our daily bread, our daily work, our daily victories, and our daily growth in grace.  IF WE REMAIN CENTERED ON CHRIST, WE WILL AVOID BOTH OF THE PITFALLS OF SATAN: SIN-LOVING AND SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.

 

But notice, when Christianity started to become popular and widespread in the early centuries, it got corrupted!  The state church—the Papacy—or Roman Catholic Church—started to think that it was important enough to make up its own rules and doctrines and commandments as it pleased.  This led to exclusivism and to persecution.

 

Through the writings of Ellen G. White we are given an opportunity to see the full spectrum of this “religious” means that the devil is using to corrupt and destroy God’s people.  Not only are we given insights into the spiritual confusion and resulting persecution of the middle ages, but we are also shown what will happen in our own beloved country, when religious authorities unite with the powers of government to force people to worship falsely.

 

And my friend, nothing could be worse for you than to worship falsely in these last days.  But thank God, He has given us a modern prophetic gift for just such a time as this!  And as we read, we can become more aware of the issues and developments in our land.  And we can see patterns and we can see meaning in these events as they occur.

 

This is a special gift of insight that God has given to us, my friends.

 

God’s intervention in the last days

                       

Revival of study of Scripture

     When God wanted to lead His people out of the darkness of Roman religious persecution, He did it through Bible study.  Luther and all the others studied the Scriptures, translated the Scriptures, printed the Scriptures, and gave them to the people.

    

Gift of modern prophecy, tested by Scripture: Ellen G. White

                                 

To protect, teach, and guide God’s last-day people

             

2 Chron. 20:20  So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

 

2 Peter 1:19  So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”

         

   The triumph of the kingdom of Christ!

 

Through the writings of this dear lady, God has given us a view—a taste of what we have to look forward to in the very near future.  In the final analysis, my friends, the Kingdom of God and of Christ will be triumphant!  Triumphant at last!  We will be taken home to be with our Lord forever!

 

“When the protection of human laws shall be withdrawn from those who honor the law of God, there will be, in different lands, a simultaneous movement for their destruction. As the time appointed in the decree draws near, the people will conspire to root out the hated sect. It will be determined to strike in one night a decisive blow, which shall utterly silence the voice of dissent and reproof.”

“The people of God--some in prison cells, some hidden in solitary retreats in the forests and the mountains--still plead for divine protection, while in every quarter companies of armed men, urged on by hosts of evil angels, are preparing for the work of death. It is now, in the hour of utmost extremity, that the God of Israel will interpose for the deliverance of His chosen. Saith the Lord; "Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth . . . to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel. And the Lord shall cause His glorious voice to be heard, and shall show 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." Isaiah 30:29, 30.”

“With shouts of triumph, jeering, and imprecation, throngs of evil men are about to rush upon their prey, when, lo, a dense blackness, deeper than the darkness of the night, falls upon the earth. 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. The objects of their murderous rage are forgotten. With fearful forebodings they gaze upon the symbol of God's covenant and long to be shielded from its overpowering brightness.”

“By the people 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. The black, angry clouds that covered the firmament are parted, and like Stephen they look up steadfastly into heaven and see the glory of God and the Son of man seated upon His throne. In His divine form they discern the marks of His humiliation; and from His lips they hear the request presented before His Father and the holy angels: "I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am." John 17:24.

“Again a voice, musical and triumphant, is heard, saying: "They come! they come! holy, harmless, and undefiled. They have kept the word of My patience; they shall walk among the angels;" and the pale, quivering lips of those who have held fast their faith utter a shout of victory.”

“It is at midnight that God manifests His power for the deliverance of His people. The sun appears, shining in its strength. Signs and wonders follow in quick succession. The wicked look with terror and amazement upon the scene, while the righteous behold with solemn joy the tokens of their deliverance. Everything in nature seems turned out of its course. The streams cease to flow. Dark, heavy clouds come up and clash against each other. In the midst of the angry heavens is one clear space of indescribable glory, whence comes the voice of God like the sound of many waters, saying: "It is done." Revelation 16:17.

                                        The Great Controversy, 635-636

Oh, my brother, my sister, please tell me that you will do everything in your power to be in that group on that great day, who hear the words, “Look up!”

Don’t let anyone or anything keep you from the Lord!  Embrace His guidance that He has given us both in Scripture and in the writings of Mrs. White.  We need all the strength, all the wisdom, all the awareness that we can get, in order to survive in these last days!

God bless you, my friend, as you take time today to get better acquainted with your Maker!  Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.