God's Last Call

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23. GOD ’ SLAST CALL The Bible describes the situation of the world in the last days as a situation of moral decline, of ignorance about God, but also of powerful deceptions “to deceive, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

The three angels’ message is a message to be given to all the world by the remnant church, in preparation for and as an answer from God to the great deception that the devil is preparing for the world. In fact, we find it right after the description of events given in Revelation 13.

1. WHERE WILL THIS MESSAGE BE PREACHED BY GOD ’ SEND TIME PEOPLE?

 Revelation 14:6 This message, the message of the everlasting gospel, will be preached in the entire world. It will prepare the world for Jesus’ second coming. Jesus said that when the gospel shall be preached as a witness to all nations, the end will come (see Matthew 24:14).

From the chronology of Revelation 14, we see that this message will fulfill Jesus’ prediction. In fact, right after the three angels’ message (v. 6-12), John saw Christ’s return (see Revelation 14:14-16).

2. THE FIRST ANGEL ’ SMESSAGE  Revelation 14:6-7 The first angel’s message carries with it the everlasting gospel (see v. 6). The remnant church preaches the good news of salvation in Christ. It is the first element because it is the knowledge of the gospel that will save a person.

We find several elements in this message:  “Fear God” (v. 7)  “Give glory to Him” (v. 7)  “For the hour of His judgment has come” (v. 7)  “Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water” (v. 7)

3. What does the Fear of God Lead Us to?

 Proverbs 3:7; 8:13; 16:6 2 23. God’s Last Call – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 Sin is the transgression of the law (see 1 John 3:4); therefore, keeping the commandments means to flee from sin. Notice how the fear of God is linked to this idea: it leads the sinner to hate sin and flee from it. Keeping the fear of God before our eyes will help us to overcome sin (see Exodus 20:20).

In the Old Testament the fear of God is often linked to commandment keeping (see Deuteronomy 5:29, Ecclesiastes 12:13). The remnant church teaches that God’s law is eternal and therefore still valid today.

4. Which Aspects of Our Lives are Involved in Glorifying God?

 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Corinthians 10:31 We are the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are called to glorify God in both our spirit and our body.

Giving glory to God includes all areas of our lives: our thoughts, words, actions and health.

Whatever we do, including eating and drinking, we must do it to the glory of God. The remnant church teaches a message that involves the care of our health.

5. What Will Be Examined in the Judgment?

 Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The remnant church teaches that God’s judgement has already begun. In 1844, Jesus entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to begin the work of judgment. In the books of heaven is recorded every thought, word or deed. God will examine our secret thoughts and the hidden motivations behind our actions.

By letting us know about the ongoing judgment, God intends to encourage us to live with the awareness that He is always with us. By doing this we will flee from sin even when no human eye is watching us.

6. What is the Main Reminder That God Gave Men to Worship Him As the Creator?

 Exodus 20:11 The first angel’s message quotes from the Sabbath commandment. The Sabbath has never been done away with and it is still the sign that God sanctifies us (see Exodus 31:13). The remnant church therefore must teach that we ought to keep the Sabbath.

7. THE SECOND ANGEL ’ SMESSAGE  Revelation 14:8 The second angel’s message exposes spiritual Babylon, a religious system that is against God and His people. 23. God’s Last Call – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 3 The origin of Babylon is told in the book of Genesis: it is the Babel built by Nimrod in the land of Shinar (see Genesis 10:8-10, Daniel 1:2).

Babylon is a symbol of rebellion against God’s Word (see Genesis 9:1; 11:4), of human pride (see

Daniel 4:30), of salvation by works (see Genesis 9:14-15; 11:4) and of pagan worship (see Isaiah 21:9; Jeremiah 50:2; 51:47).

8. What are the Characteristics of the Harlot Which Represents Babylon?

 Revelation 17:1-6 A woman represents a church in Bible prophecy; a harlot represents an apostate church. This church has a global influence since sits on waters, symbol of people and nations (see Revelation 17:15). It is a church, which has relationships with the kings of the earth (political power).

The woman is arrayed in purple and scarlet: these colors have something to do with this church.

The woman is adorned with gold, precious stones and pearls: this church is wealthy. This church persecuted God’s people and killed many faithful believers.

The harlot represents the Roman Catholic church, whose official colors are purple and scarlet; it is definitely a wealthy church which has had illicit relationships with the kings of the earth (union of church and state).

This harlot is the mother of harlots. This means that spiritual Babylon is comprise not only by the Catholic church but also by all those Protestant churches which retain one or more of the false teachings of Catholicism, for example: salvation by works, Sunday sacredness, the immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the lost and infant baptism. It is true that Protestant churches teach salvation by grace; but because of their adherence to other false doctrines they have not come out of Babylon.

The remnant church invites all people, including other Protestant churches, to reject human traditions, embrace all Biblical truths and come out of spiritual Babylon (see Revelation 18:1-4).

9. THE THIRD ANGEL ’ SMESSAGE  Revelation 14:9-12 “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God” (v. 9-10): the third angel’s message is a solemn warning not to receive the mark of the beast and it tells of the terrible judgment that awaits the impenitent.

Those who decide to follow the worldwide system of false worship, because they think this is the safest decision to take, will realize that their decision has been a wrong one. God can provide for 4 23. God’s Last Call – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 our good and safety much better than we can do for ourselves. To trust in men more than in God and in His Word will reveal itself as the greatest delusion in human history.

Sunday worship enforced, the mark of the beast, and the Sabbath, the seal of God, represent two religious systems. Sunday sacredness is the symbol of man’s exaltation above God’s Word for the papacy claims to have the authority to change God’s law. The Sabbath, on the other hand, is a sign of the sanctifying power of God.

Sunday and Sabbath represent two different views of salvation: Sunday represents salvation by works while Sabbath represents salvation by grace through faith. Sunday represents a system that ultimately lead people to trust in man, while the Sabbath represents the true view of salvation, i.e.

trusting fully in God.

Sabbath is the memorial not only of creation but also of redemption from the slavery sin (see Deuteronomy 5:15). The Sabbath teaches us how God sanctifies man: the only day God asks us to keep holy is the day on which we are forbidden to work. We cannot work to purchase our salvation but we are saved by resting in Christ through faith.

“Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (v. 12): believing, experiencing and preaching this message will produce this kind of people. God’s end time people will reflect the character of Christ (see Revelation 18:1). They will keep the commandments as Jesus did by letting Jesus abiding in them (see John 15:4-5,10).

10. How is Jesus Called in This Passage? What does It Means to Us?

 Hebrews 12:2 They will have the faith of Jesus. Jesus is the author but also the finisher of our faith and is able to complete the good work He has started in us (see Philippians 1:6).

When Jesus will have accomplished His work in His people, they will have an unmovable faith in God’s Word, trusting its promises in the midst of darkness like Jesus did throughout His life and even to the cross until His last breath. They will be faithful to God at all costs, even of losing their lives if needed.

Appeal

There is no future for those who in rebellion decide to worship false gods or to hold unto false ideas of God. On the other side, God promises to take care of those who stand on His side, who will cling to His Word, even at the cost of loosing earthly pleasures and advantages. 23. God’s Last Call – Menorah Mission School – 2018/2019 5 God offers us life today. Shall we take the wisest decision in our own life?

Don't you want to fully trust God and His Word as a strong safeguard for your future and for your present life? Only in Him there is true safety!

Do you want to take the decision today to reject all the deceptions that the devil has spread in the world through corrupted churches and to stand clearly on God's side, trusting His Word and His promises as your only and best safeguard?