SDA questions

[OntheDL]

I don't think there will be one world religion. There will be a unity of religions in my opinion, but not in the sense that it will all be the same.

Nonetheless, they will all be worshipping the same Lucifer one way or another.

Jon

That's correct. The documents from Vatican II tells us in the end the protestant denominations will keep their names, their church structures and even have their own fundamental believes. But the doctrines, worship and liturgy will all be very much the same.

Karl Rahner, a jesuit wrote a book: The Unity of the Churches. In it, he reveals/brags the plan of the ecumenical movement. Facinating book.

 

[AlbertaBoy]

Hello Brimac!

My view of the endtimes is that God will win. His Word will endure forever.

 

[thecountrydoc]

Hi once again Brimac,

Sorry it took me a little longer than intended to get back but here are some additional points that I think will be useful in understanding how the end times will play out. I will post this in parts as I did before.

Who Will Worship The beast?​

In the past few years we’ve seen a remarkable fulfillment of several apocalyptic prophecies. It has been exciting, thrilling, and faith-building to witness. But it also is sobering, for fulfilled prophecies indicate that the remaining last-day prophecies are soon to follow.

Unfortunately, some Christians do not want to face the coming reality of the prophecy of Revelation chapter 13. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy, . . . and all the world wondered after the beast . . . . as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:1-3,1517).

This is a frightening prophecy indeed. It predicts that a coalition of religious and political powers will align under the leadership of the Antichrist beast to cast the world into a boiling caldron of affliction. There will be a great time of trouble unlike the earth has ever seen before (Daniel 12:1). Some students of Bible prophecy have even suggested this tribulation will be worse than we can imagine.

With the future so bleak, we can easily appreciate why some have chosen to remain ignorant about last-day events. Many of those who have sought to learn about it are so fearful of living during the beast’s reign of terror that they have become easy prey for false doctrine. The prevalent false teaching that promises a pre-tribulation rapture appears attractive against the backdrop of Armageddon and the mark of the beast. But ignorance and false doctrine will leave their victims destitute and lost as these fig-leaf garments dry and crumble under the withering blast of the final tribulation.

The desire to live in peace and security is understandable. Few of us, in our introspective moments, feel capable to stand for God and His truth when demons will overrun the earth. But despite these natural fears and aversions, we must not chase after promises of peace and safety that are not founded upon the sure Word of God. While we should focus on the love of God for sinners and the true security that comes from making Him Lord and Savior of our life, we should also give attention to the warnings of the Spirit concerning the last days.

The Scripture injunction we should heed most is that which warns us against worshiping the beast. Consider these sobering facts. All who worship the beast will forfeit the precious experience of eternal life with Jesus in a glorious new world (Revelation 13:8). They will be inflicted with the extremely painful and fearsome seven last plagues (Revelation 16:2). And finally, they will suffer utter destruction in the fires of hell (Revelation 14:9-11). Without question, we do not want to be found worshiping the beast in the days to come.

But what assures us we will not be in this group? Mind you, it is no small group. Revelation 13:3 says that “all the world wondered after the beast.”

Although helpful, mere knowledge of the beast’s identity will not guarantee escape. Judas knew Jesus as the Messiah, yet he betrayed Him. Similarly, many of those who understand last-day prophecies will ultimately find themselves on the side of the beast. Knowledge definitely isn’t enough. So how can we be on the winning side when all the dust settles? Who will worship the beast? And what can we do now to keep from being part of that group.

The Final Conflict​

First, we must understand that the final conflict will be over worship. All inhabitants of earth will be divided into one of two camps before the end—those who worship the beast and those who worship the Creator. Creature worship versus Creator worship will be the issue to divide the world. Everyone will have to make a choice regarding whom they will worship. How will the whole earth be brought to make this choice between the creature and the Creator? The Bible predicts a time when the beast will gain immense political influence. From this position of authority, he will force people to worship him. Those who refuse will be economically boycotted and eventually sentenced to death. “And he had power to . . . cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all . . . to receive a mark . . . that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:15-17).

As the beast seeks to enforce worship through force, God mercifully warns people against the beast and urges them to worship Him as Creator. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:6-10).

The scenario is clear. In the last days, the entire world will be squeezed between the two cosmic forces. There will be no neutral ground, no demilitarized zone. Everyone will have to make a decision whom they will serve and worship.

I shall return later with more.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[brimac]

Hi once again Brimac,

Sorry it took me a little longer than intended to get back but here are some additional points that I think will be useful in understanding how the end times will play out. I will post this in parts as I did before.

Who Will Worship The beast?​

In the past few years we’ve seen a remarkable fulfillment of several apocalyptic prophecies. It has been exciting, thrilling, and faith-building to witness. But it also is sobering, for fulfilled prophecies indicate that the remaining last-day prophecies are soon to follow.

Unfortunately, some Christians do not want to face the coming reality of the prophecy of Revelation chapter 13. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy, . . . and all the world wondered after the beast . . . . as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:1-3,1517).

This is a frightening prophecy indeed. It predicts that a coalition of religious and political powers will align under the leadership of the Antichrist beast to cast the world into a boiling caldron of affliction. There will be a great time of trouble unlike the earth has ever seen before (Daniel 12:1). Some students of Bible prophecy have even suggested this tribulation will be worse than we can imagine.

With the future so bleak, we can easily appreciate why some have chosen to remain ignorant about last-day events. Many of those who have sought to learn about it are so fearful of living during the beast’s reign of terror that they have become easy prey for false doctrine. The prevalent false teaching that promises a pre-tribulation rapture appears attractive against the backdrop of Armageddon and the mark of the beast. But ignorance and false doctrine will leave their victims destitute and lost as these fig-leaf garments dry and crumble under the withering blast of the final tribulation.

The desire to live in peace and security is understandable. Few of us, in our introspective moments, feel capable to stand for God and His truth when demons will overrun the earth. But despite these natural fears and aversions, we must not chase after promises of peace and safety that are not founded upon the sure Word of God. While we should focus on the love of God for sinners and the true security that comes from making Him Lord and Savior of our life, we should also give attention to the warnings of the Spirit concerning the last days.

The Scripture injunction we should heed most is that which warns us against worshiping the beast. Consider these sobering facts. All who worship the beast will forfeit the precious experience of eternal life with Jesus in a glorious new world (Revelation 13:8). They will be inflicted with the extremely painful and fearsome seven last plagues (Revelation 16:2). And finally, they will suffer utter destruction in the fires of hell (Revelation 14:9-11). Without question, we do not want to be found worshiping the beast in the days to come.

But what assures us we will not be in this group? Mind you, it is no small group. Revelation 13:3 says that “all the world wondered after the beast.”

Although helpful, mere knowledge of the beast’s identity will not guarantee escape. Judas knew Jesus as the Messiah, yet he betrayed Him. Similarly, many of those who understand last-day prophecies will ultimately find themselves on the side of the beast. Knowledge definitely isn’t enough. So how can we be on the winning side when all the dust settles? Who will worship the beast? And what can we do now to keep from being part of that group.

The Final Conflict​

First, we must understand that the final conflict will be over worship. All inhabitants of earth will be divided into one of two camps before the end—those who worship the beast and those who worship the Creator. Creature worship versus Creator worship will be the issue to divide the world. Everyone will have to make a choice regarding whom they will worship. How will the whole earth be brought to make this choice between the creature and the Creator? The Bible predicts a time when the beast will gain immense political influence. From this position of authority, he will force people to worship him. Those who refuse will be economically boycotted and eventually sentenced to death. “And he had power to . . . cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all . . . to receive a mark . . . that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:15-17).

As the beast seeks to enforce worship through force, God mercifully warns people against the beast and urges them to worship Him as Creator. “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. . . . And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:6-10).

The scenario is clear. In the last days, the entire world will be squeezed between the two cosmic forces. There will be no neutral ground, no demilitarized zone. Everyone will have to make a decision whom they will serve and worship.

I shall return later with more.

Your brother in Christ,
Doc

so, in a nutshell who do you believe to be the beast?

 

[honorthesabbath]

Hi Bri--I think all of the above articles point to the beast power--apostate Roman Catholicism, the papacy in particular.

But one thing I noticed in your OP that I would like to address. You asked about a "Sunday Sabbath".

Bri--there is no such thing. Sunday can never be called the Sabbath--because there is only ONE, not two.

This is why the Inspired pen refers to it as "Sunday sacredness"--but NEVER the Sabbath day.

Just thought you would like to know that.

Blessings

 

[thecountrydoc]

Hi once again Brimac,

Honorthesabbath has given you a very direct answer to your question; Who is the antichrist? However please understand that there are many in the RCC that are true in heart and will take their stand for the correct teachings of the Bible after they become aware of the apostasy of the papacy. If you have noticed, in my previous post there is only one power that fits the discription of the antichrist and that is the papacy. The papacy is the only religious power that has ever existed that tries to take the place of Christ here on earth.

"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and recieve his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is pourd out without mixture into the cupe of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commamdments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 13:9-12

As you can see this is a question of worship, and the keeping of the commandments of God. In the following we will take a closer look at what is the Seal of God. As promised I won't leave anything out. You will be able to see how every piece in these end time prophecies fit and make complete and total sense.

THE SEAL OF GOD​

The servants of God are to be sealed in the last days:

Rev. 7:1-3, "And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor the sea, nor on any tree. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." (See Rev. 14:1; Eze. 9:1-6.)

A seal or sign is used with the same meaning in the Bible in connection with laws or legal documents:
1 Kings 21:8; So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in the city, dwelling with Naboth.

Es. 3:12;Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to every people and their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring.

Dan. 6:8; Now, O king, establish the decree, anssign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Pewrsians, which altereth not.

Note: An official seal must show three things:
(1) the name of the law-giver;
(2) his official position or title or rightr to rule;
(3) his kingdom or territory over which he rules. For instance:
Person’s Name—George Washington
Official Position—President
Extent of Jurisdiction—United States

The seal of God is connected with His law and is found in the fourth commandment.

Ex. 20:8-11; Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor the stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Read all the Ten Commandments.

Only in the fourth do we find:
(1) God’ name; Lord thy God.
(2) His official position; Creator
(3) the extent of His domain (heaven and earth).

In Ez. 20 the Bible speaks of the Sabbath as God’s sign (seal):
Ez. 20:12, 20; Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them. And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God. (See Ex. 31:13, 17.)
Isa. 8:16; Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

Verse 17 shows this message is due when people are looking for the Lord to come.

The Sabbath is a weekly reminder of God as creator, distinguishing Him from all false gods: Ps. 96:5; For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Acts 17:24; God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. (See Jer. 10:10-12.)

The same creative power of Christ which makes a new world gives the sinner a new heart: 2 Cor. 5:17; Therefor if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [or new creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (See Revised Version, margin.)

Ps. 51:10; Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (See also 1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 2:10; Isa. 43:1; Col. 1:13-16.)

The Sabbath is thus the seal of God’s creative and sanctifying power which is exercised through the Holy Spirit: Gen. 1:1, 2; In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved up on the face of the waters.

Eph. 4:30; And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

The Passover, a day of special significance in memory of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, was called a sign (or seal) to His people of old:
Ex. 13:3,9,10; And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thin eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand the Lord hath brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. (See Ex. 12:14.)

God’s seal is to be placed on the foreheads [in the mind and heart] of His servants before the second coming of Christ: Rev. 7:3; Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Compare verses 1 to 4 with Rev. 14:1 and Rev. 15:2, 3. The 144,000 have the seal of God and also have the victory over the mark of the beast.

I will come back with more. Please feel free to ask any question that you may have or that I might over look.

Respectfully, your brother in Christ,
Doc

 

[mva1985]

Doc,

Very nicely done.