Forgiveness is a very easy topic until someone steals money from you. This is a very easy topic until you find out they’ve been sleeping with her or him for at least a few years. It’s rainbows and unicorns until it gets real. It’s a neat topic for children but at some point in life – it gets real. It gets hard. The test of the true followers of Jesus is not loving your neighbors. It’s loving your absolutely awful neighbors – you know the ones who call the police on you. It’s not loving your wife, its loving her when she tells you what she did. It’s not loving your kids, it’s loving them when they tell you they are coming out of the closet. We talk about unconditional love, but for many of us – our love and our forgiveness are very conditional. Lets dig in. Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

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How do we prepare for the unexpected in life? There are 4 ways to prepare. Join us as we dig in. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messagesNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

It’s one of the most eye opening stories in the Bible - Jesus tells a rich young ruler the secret to eternal youth. His decision shocks the disciples. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messagesNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Kasey Norton is a wife, mother, friend and missionary. This message is about God calling and using the least qualified people and then by His Spirit, filling them to do His work through His power for His glory. If she can do it then anyone can do it. Go forward in faith, fasten the seat belt for you are about to go on the ride of your life. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

What lines have you drawn in life that nothing can deter you from holding? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

What is the greatest threat to America today? Could it be the same threat to your own spiritual journey? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

As in the garden so in the church, how we deal with plants and people may determine the destiny of both. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messagesNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

How often do we compare ourselves with others? How do we follow our convictions while not pressing them on to others? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

How God commanded Jonah to take an end time message to Nineveh, but he ran away from it. Today we are doing the same thing when it comes to the Gospel Commission. What will it take to get us to obey, being thrown overboard, being swallowed by a giant fish or worse? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

We live in a world today where peer pressure is rising on all fronts. How do we deal with this? How do we react when our convictions come in conflict with the voice of the majority? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

What is the cost of unity? Can we be friends with people that have different opinions than us? How much room do we give someone in a relationship before we deem them just not up to our level? I got pretty fired up sharing this message. I hope it inspires you as much as it has me - Jared Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trytheway Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

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Once we find our purpose in life, all else falls into place. But how do we define our purpose as it compares with God’s purpose for us? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus but why isn’t that the end of the story? Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

In the estimation of Heaven, what is it that constitutes greatness? Not that which the world accounts greatness; not wealth, or rank, or noble descent, or intellectual gifts, in themselves considered. If intellectual greatness, apart from any higher consideration, is worthy of honor, then our homage is due to Satan. This is part 2 on the life of John the Baptist. Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

John the Baptist and his story teach us so much about how we can wonder if God has led us to a certain point and if things pause or change course - we often wonder if God is still leading. Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

What is it and why is it so powerful? The story of Samson teaches us about the power of temptation. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trytheway Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

We see disruption happening all over. What were the risks other disruptors took in history and what can we learn from them? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

We had a special guest speaker for our youth Sabbath - Pastor Gary RustadNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Join me as we take a look at the year 2348 and the advanced civilization that we can learn alot from. Hint: Plot Twist :) Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Most of us are afraid of something? But why does the Bible promote ‘Fearing God’ while telling us not to be afraid? Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

The story of J continues. A huge betrayal. A strange dream. J's life will never be the same. If you enjoyed this story - send us an email at hello@trytheway.comNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

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J, a young man from a small farming community, nears the end of a multi-day solo trek across the wild backcountry. What he finds at his destination is far from the peace and tranquility he’s expecting. An unpredicted turn of events will leave him struggling for his life. If you like this story, please let us know - send us an email at hello@trytheway.com Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Description: More and more of us prefer texting over calls. But what are we missing when we don't connect with someone face to face? For 4000 years it was oral tradition, the written text and yet they didn't really understand who God was. Jesus had to come in person because of all of the misunderstandings.Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

For years students of Bible prophecy have seen the prediction of legislating a new day of rest at the hands of the religious right. But what if we have missed something? Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

In this episode we take a look at the history of Censorship, its moment today and we ask the question - Would God use Censorship against Lucifer?Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Multi-level marketing aka a pyramid scheme's have been tried by nearly 1 in 13 Americans. But when you look closely you can see that the growth of the kingdom of heaven and an MLM are interestingly similiar. Do you get credit for souls you win? How far does that go? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

Has our picture of God been poisoned by His archenemy? What if God isn't who we think He is? There's been a cosmic misunderstanding of God, and the consequences could be deadly. What do the scriptures reveal about this fatal mix-up? Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

There’s perhaps no harder and more important moment in the Christian life than making peace and righting wrongs with others. Yet it may be the most important thing of all. Thank you so much for listening to our weekly messages. If you want to watch or listen to more, check out the links below. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seventh-day-adventist-church-of-adairsville/id1440553159 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/62bPX2F27W2ru285tCZiGC Youtube - https://youtube.com/channel/UCZZbQzFSlsdDcSz4_NzJiUQ Web - https://www.adairsvillesda.org/messages For even more messages, check out on IG/FB - @trythewayNewsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

​It's believed to be the most celebrated holiday but what is Christmas really all about? Is it Pagan like some say? Is it Christian? Does it matter?Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

What is faith? How do we keep our faith amidst the challenges of life, and how do we know that God is with us? Join us as we explore the Bible to answer these big and valid questions. Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

There are moments in life where we could ask if God was doing something behind the scenes or if it was just happenstance or chance or..luck? How do we know the difference? Does it matter? The story of Esther teaches us some lessons on this profound concept.Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

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There are lyrics to a song by Andrew Petersen - “I’m just a little jealous of the nothing that you have.” In this episode we talk about why that group of Protestant Separatists fled the old world and came to the new. Why did they risk all to find the shores of the new world? Would we do the same? Newsletter Link - Click Here Watch Videos - Click Here

The Religion of Business

If we look around…I think it would be fair to say that in many cases --Business has found its way into religion, but not enough religion has found its way into business. 

It was one of the most innovative pioneering women of the 19th century who coined the phrase “Religion and Business are not two separate things…they are one.” 

I want to talk to you about the business world of tomorrow. The trends we should be paying attention to, the secret sauce of what will define commerce and capitalism in the remaining years of earth 1.0 and in the beginning years of earth 2.0. 

I think business - the interaction and process of an idea, to a product or service to the exchange of currency for that product or service because someone else sees value in it -- is divine! 

I grew up with two of the hardest working parents around. My dad would drive around asking people to cut up firewood when I was born just to put food on the table. As far as I understand it my parents literally went from rags to riches. I remember asking my mom as a kid how I could obtain a full box of baseball cards. As I remember it - key phrase there - she told me that I had to work or sell things to make money and in turn buy things. 

So the next day she comes running down the driveway very distraught and seemingly shocked because I was selling —well had sold -- and continuing to sell some of my toys. I mean those were old news, I needed these baseball cards. 

That was the genesis of beginning to sing the anthem of ‘everyday I’m hustling’ for the rest of my life. We would go to the conventions - you know the democratic and republican conventions. We were the best democrats at their events and the good ol Republicans at theirs. Their money was all green and we had all the political memorabilia you could need to satisfy your desire to show allegiance to your party. Then it was the olympics and at 13 I skated around Atlanta on rollerblades selling olympic edition monopoly games for 2 weeks and made thousands of dollars that as a 13 year old -what do you think I wisely did with all that money? I went and invested it all into ----custom big bertha golf clubs of course. 

I could go on and on and tell you about trading commodities the next summer and making $100 grand only to lose it all at the end of the summer. 

I graduated college with the intention to make money and give a little away on my path through life. 

But everything changed when I went to India, I saw people with nothing with such contentment and joy from making the decision to walk away from following millions of gods to choose to follow the lowly carpenter of Nazareth. That was a turning point in my life. 

For some reason when I came home, I felt compelled to renounce business as evil, selfish, greedy and to pursue what I believed at the time [key words there] what I believed to be “ministry”. 

I began to explore something called ‘self supporting ministry’ but found really that meant donor supported in many cases. I started to see that for some reason the world had divorced business from ministry. 

I began to see ministries that desperately needed business and businesses that desperately needed ministry. 

Why is it that business can be so devoid of selflessness while religion and ministry can so often be filled with selfishness? 

I began to have this dilemma in my mind. For so long, many have made a very strong argument that business and religion should remain entirely distinct entities. But if this is the case, its tragic. 

As I look at the landscape today I see way too many ‘ministries’ and religious organizations that are desperately in need of the innovative pioneering spirit of business. But I also see businesses with a desperate need for the beauty of pure religion. 

Let me get practical for a minute because what I want to do and show you in the next few minutes is why more religious organizations need businessmen and women. Then I’m gonna flip the script. 

Ellen White, one of the most bold and successful entrepreneurs of the 19th century, shared some notes on this idea that I think are vital to hear to anyone affiliated with the ‘business of the church’. 

In one she said “Those in charge of our conferences should find businessmen to look after the financial details of city work. If such men cannot be found, let facilities be provided for training men to bear these burdens.—The Review and Herald, October 5, 1905.

In another ‘ The policy which worldly businessmen adopt is not the policy to be chosen and carried out by the men who are connected with our institutions. Selfish policy is not heaven-born, it is earthly. In this world the leading maxim is, “The end justifies the means;” and this may be traced in every department of business. It has a controlling influence in every class of society, in the grand councils of nations, and wherever the Spirit of Christ is not the ruling principle. PM82

And finally ‘ Brethren, develop your talent in the direction of serving the Lord; manifest as much tact and ability in working for the upbuilding of the cause of Christ as you do in worldly enterprises. – {5T 425.2}

The bustle of business, if continuous, will dry up spirituality and leave the soul Christless 2TT 132

So my appeal to anyone who still has an interest and a passion in the business of religion - please listen to the counsel. 

—————————

Ok now I want to talk about the meat of the matter - The religion of business. 

There are so many elements of religion that I could address that are essential to business. As we take a look at these I hope you will see why that comment about them being the same and not different is so profound. 

When I think of religion I think of the government and organization structure of Zion – the galactic capitol of the universe. I would argue there is no greater organization to study than one that has been in existence for eons – by studying this organization – we learn of how to deal with conflict, how servant leadership works, what motivates, what accountability looks like, and the list goes on. 

We could talk about the importance of order and record keeping in this organization. 

We could discuss the beauty of hierarchy and why any organization needs a reporting and accountability structure - as shown by the order and divisions of responsibilities of the angels in paradise.

But the practical lesson I’d like to draw from is the one one how each of our organizations needs the religion of this utopian society to govern everything we do – every decision we make. 

I’m a fan of boiling things down, distill the idea down – show me the forest – we can worry about – or focus on the trees later. But what are we really doing here – why are we endeavoring on this enterprise? 

I’ve had the privilege to be a part of a number of different business ventures. In the last few years, I started to make some notes one what I saw as most important. What are those essential elements that you need to be successful? 

I distilled those down to a mantra that I call The Rhodium Rule – Where we don’t just practice the golden rule that Jesus speaks of  in Mathew 7:12 – where He says “Whatever it is you want someone to do for you, do for them – that this -the practicing of this – is the law upon which all the of scripture hangs. But not just stopping there but going above and beyond – asking what we would want someone to do for us – and then doing MORE than that for them. Rhodium being more precious and rare than gold. The way I get there, or at least try to is this mantra – Kindness is King. Candor is Queen. Experience is Everything. 

How do we create experiences as people interact with our product or service where they go tell their friends how remarkable the experience with us was? I think it starts simply by being kind and that’s followed up second with being candid. These two principles I find are the most beautiful guardrails to creating an amazing culture in your organization. Be Kind Always – but don’t be kind while sacrificing principle and truth and honesty and transparency. But be Candid – straightforward, open, forthright – but not to the point of ever not being kind. 

I got these ideas from one of my favorite books called Education. 

In it, the author describes how in paradise there was one law – not ten – one law that governed all of the guardian race – None Liveth to Himself – we find it in Romans 14:7. But then it says it like this “the law that none “liveth to himself” Lucifer was determined to oppose. He desired to live for self. He sought to make himself a center of influence. It was this that incited rebellion in heaven, and it was man’s acceptance of this principle that brought sin on earth.”

And let me say that when someone in an organization – or in a home – or a marriage – decides to live for self – that self is supreme – this is step one to disaster. 

The author continues in speaking about learning from the source of wisdom in scripture – “The student should learn to view the word as a whole and to see the relation of its parts… He or she should -understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should 

-learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should 

-see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; 

-how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and 

-how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. – {Ed 190.2}

These two principles that I’m going to share with you, are the life or death of your organization. The life or death of your start up. The life or death of your venture, your marriage, your friendships. 

Principle #1 - 

Unselfishness, the principle of Kingdom of Heaven, is the principle that Lucifer hates; its very existence he denies. 

Principle #2 

See From the beginning of the great controversy Lucifer has endeavored to prove God’s principles of action to be selfish, and he deals in the same way with all who serve God. To disprove Lucifer’s claim is the work of Christ and of all who bear His name. – {Ed 154.3}

It was to give in His own life an illustration of unselfishness that Jesus came in the form of humanity. And all who accept this principle are to be workers together with Him in demonstrating it in practical life.

Let me translate – if you want to be successful in business today – you need an edge, you need something that sets you apart from your competition. What is that 99% of the time – Customer Service – the Customer Experience. 

This isn’t random, it is intentional. The only way your customers, parishioners or whoever else believe you have the best product is if your employees, your team, your organization has experienced the product and has a testimony. It’s your job as a leader to demonstrate this principle of unselfishness to your team, so in turn they demonstrate it throughout the organization and eventually to the customers and them to all the world. 

On this idea of service – talking about bringing more religion into business - "In his providence God places before human beings service that will be as medicine to their diseased minds. Thus he seeks to lead them to put aside the selfish preference, which, if cherished, would disqualify them for the work he has for them….” – {RH May 2, 1907}

Service to each other within our organization, our family, our team – will result in contagion to show that same unselfish spirit to others and them on to others. 

A world of give give give – never ends. A world of take take take…will become extinct. 

If you were to look at most issues within a company’s culture I think they would fall under selfishness. Stealing money, having an affair, dishonest time clock, false reporting, and the list goes on. 

On this idea – Ellen White describes - ”Another book was opened, wherein were recorded the sins of those who profess the truth. Under the general heading of selfishness came every other sin.”…and selfishness is death. 

Look at so many companies that put themselves, their profits, their wallets first…and they are one by one starting to disappear. 

If you want to be on the cutting edge of success in the world of business today and into the future – you’ve gotta find a way to make this idea translate into every moment of delight for your customer. Where they feel like you are going above beyond every single step of the way. Where your employees feel like you are going above and beyond every step of the way. 

That you are practicing what you preach. 

Here are two quick ideas on why showing this type of leadership to others is so important. 

🙌"A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument in favor of the gospel that can be produced." – Ellen White

I’d say it’s the most powerful argument in favor of a good business too. Or Here’s another --One may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world. – {DA 309.3}

You can talk religion all day long but if it doesn’t translate into your business – its worthless. If your faith, your spirituality, your religion doesn’t make its way into every business transaction, interaction --- it’s a curse to you and to all of your company and customers. 

This idea isn’t foreign to the gospel story. 

The leader of the organization had executives questioning his motives, his character. So the only way he could show that He was unselfish – he stepped down to the lowliest position, renounced all his authority, his power, his rank, his position, his title – and became one of us. He held nothing back, he risked all, he counted the cost and felt heaven was not worth losing out on you or I. 

He has regained his position and is even more exalted than ever before. 

He’s one of us. Its his organization that ultimately we find ourselves apart of. It’s his unselfishness, his kindness, his humility, his graciousness, his courage, his risk taking nature that we have to emulate on a daily basis. 

Jesus did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost!!! 

Do you lead like that? Do you love like that? Do you serve your team and your customers like that? Where their joy, their satisfaction, their peace is prized more than your own?

Today I believe we sit on the verge of moments unlike the world has ever seen. Many of us are asking what do we do with the talents the Lord has given us, what do we do with these desires to work, to be ambitious, to dream? 

I think of the quote “ “The desire to accumulate wealth is an original affection of our nature, implanted there by our Heavenly Father for noble ends.” 

I want to challenge anyone listening to this – dream bigger, dream more, write your vision, make it plain ---but do it with one thought in mind – we can’t take our wealth with us….or can we? 

I want to speak to the extremely ambitious – listen to these words talking about earth 2.0 from the book ‘The Great Controversy’

“There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body. – GC88 677.2

An enterprise by definition is a project or undertaking, typically one that is difficult or requires effort. 

Chew on that. That the future is for the ambitious. But while chewing, consider how you get a head start on building your team in the here and now – 

Matthew 6:19-20 Jesus describes it like this - “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

In your business, keep your priorities in order. Loving God and Loving Your Fellow Man. If you and I do that, we will be successful in this life…and in the life to come. 

I’ll end with a quote. It says it like this “You have felt that business is business, religion is religion, but I tell you that these cannot be divorced. If you seek God with the whole heart, He will be found of you; but, said Christ, “Without Me you can do nothing.” You are not to put asunder that which God has joined—business and religion.” -19MR 17

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Unlocking the Hidden Character

Most consistent question – why are you inferring Michael is Jesus

Some think that Jesus waited 4,000 years to personally intervene in the affairs of man. 

I want to make it crystal clear to you that Jesus has been personally actively working on behalf of mankind since day 1. Jesus is Michael – Michael is the archangel – the archangel is the chief of all the angels and is also known as THE angel of the Lord. 

Scripture does not reward the casual reader

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 The same was in the beginning with God.3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Genesis 1:1 in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…

This is why Jesus said; "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad" (John 8:56). Jesus appeared personally to Abraham when the Patriarch interceded for Lot (Genesis 18:26). 

Genesis 1 and Hebrews 1 and John 1 – tell us clearly that Jesus is the creator of all things – all life – all beings in the universe. This means He was the active agent in creating the angelic race of beings – including the first – Lucifer – the lightbearer – the morning star. 

There is a good reason why Jesus is sometimes portrayed as an angel but it can be only be understood with an investigation into the angels.

In Rev.4:5,6 we see a description of the seven angels
These angels are divided into two orders - cherubim and seraphim. According
Eze. 10:9 there are four cherubim and Eze. 10:21 says they have four wings, this means
the other three are seraphim.
In reference to the devil the bible. reads "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth "...Eze.28:14. The only angels that can cover themselves while flying are the seraphim
because of their six wings [Isa. 6:2] so a covering cherub is a seraphim. This means the devil was of the highest order. The description given of him in Eze.28:11-15 would indicate he was the head angel, he was unique!
With the loss of the head angel Jesus stepped in to fill the void because now there were only three seraphim so Jesus also became known as "Prince of host" Dan. 8:11.

"How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star son of the dawn…or Oh Lucifer son of the morning"...Isa.14:12. When Jesus stepped in to fill this position he accepted the same title. "I Jesus ...the bright and Morning Star" Rev.22:16.

Ellen White commenting on the war in heaven describes a moment when it had to be made clear that Jesus was higher in rank than all. 

Baptist preacher Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) 

John Calvin:

John Wesley:

Jewish Midrash Judaism, Michael was the fourth being that saved the Hebrew boys from the Fiery furnace

Puritans Matthew Poole and Matthew Henry 

Martin Luther

The phrase "angel of the Lord" is found 68 times in Scripture. Sometimes it applies to Gabriel who appeared to Daniel, Zacharias, and Mary. But Gabriel is called "an" angel of the Lord (Luke 1:11). He is not referred to as "the" angel of the Lord. Neither is he ever called the archangel. 

Daniel 10

10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes --- the chief of the princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.

21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince

Daniel 12

12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

"Will the defendant please rise?"

Jude 1:9 

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke you.

The only other passage in the Bible that uses the word "archangel" is 1 Thessalonians 4:16. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."

John 5:21 – Jesus is the life giver and one who raises the dead

The Revelation of Jesus Christ -  1:18 – Jesus says “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”

Revelation 12:7

And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

the word "angel" means messenger, Sometimes, men are called angels in the Bible 1 Samuel 29:9 Galatians 4:14. And sometimes angels are called men Genesis 32:24. And in other places, God Himself is identified as an angel! 

 

The Key Is in the Name

. In the Greek New Testament, the word "angel" means "messenger," and "arch" means "chief, principle, greatest, or highest." So "archangel" simply means "highest or greatest messenger." The Hebrew name "Michael," found in the Old Testament, means "who is like God" So the title Michael the archangel can be translated as "The greatest messenger who is God….or who is like God"

The chief of the angels – not just one of but the angel of the Lord

Stories in the Bible 

Hagar

"And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness" (Genesis 16:7). When the "angel" disappeared, Hagar "called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me" (verse 13). 

Abraham

God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac on mount Moriah. Just as he was about to plunge the dagger into his son of promise, the angel of the Lord stopped him. "And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, 'Abraham, Abraham:' and he said, 'Here am I.' And he said, 'Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me'" (Genesis 22:11, 12).  (Genesis 22:15-18). 

Jacob – wrestles with the angel of the Lord

Moses

Moses saw a burning bush that was not consumed. "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush" (Exodus 3:2). Verse 4 identifies this angel: "God called unto him out of the midst of the bush." And in verse 6 He identifies Himself again. "I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The angel of the Lord identifies Himself as God! ---REPEATED BY STEPHEN  (Acts 7:30-32). 

Children of Israel

The Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them" (Exodus 14:19). 

Balaam

Judges

Gideon

Manoah

Samson's mother, the wife of Manoah, was barren. "And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman" (Judges 13:3). When the angel came the second time, Manoah asked him his name. The King James says that the angel told Manoah that his name was "Secret," that translates as "Wonderful." 

----Isaiah's prophecy foretold that Jesus would be called, "Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

after seeing this "Wonderful messenger," Manoah declared they had seen God. And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God!" (Judges 13:22). 

No One has Seen the Father

Since no man has seen God the Father, all of these Old Testament sightings of God as the "angel of the Lord" must have been Jesus, God the Son, veiling His glory 

Rebuking the Accuser

Zechariah was given a vision of Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord. Satan is standing at his right hand to resist him. Here we see two adversaries contending over a sinful human being. Joshua's filthy garment symbolizes his sin. (Zechariah 3:3). 

In this narrative, the name changes quickly from "the angel of the Lord" (verse 1) to "the Lord" (verse 2), indicating again that they are the same. Then the Lord makes an interesting statement. "And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan" (Zechariah 3:2). There is only one other place in Scripture, Jude 1:9, where this sentence is found—and Michael the archangel speaks it! 

Worshiping the Commander

In Revelation 12, Michael is portrayed as commander and captain - leading the heavenly hosts, or armies of angels, in the war against the Lucifer and the fallen angels 

Just as Israel was preparing for its first battle after crossing into the Promised Land, Joshua had an encounter with an unusual warrior. (Joshua 5:13-15).  "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so" 

Angels alone – reject worship -  (see Revelation 19:10; 22:8, 9). 

CONCLUSION

12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

DANIEL 7:22 TELLS US – Jesus Judges in favor of the saints. 

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 - Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels?

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Can we just acknowledge the elephant in the room? What a timely metaphor, right? So there's a lot of tension in not just this country, but the world today. There's a quote that has brought me encouragement.

God's purposes know no haste and no delay.

I think That's a profound statement. And I have to admit in the last seven days, I had some ideas of how things would play out. And as of this moment, that is not how they have played out. And so I've been thinking since about 2:15am Tuesday night, or I guess it would be Wednesday morning. So I'm sitting there watching this all unfold. And I thought, this is so interesting. I guess I should go to sleep. Should I go to sleep? And I finally decided to go to sleep, but regardless of where you're at on the spectrum of different ideas God's purposes, no, no haste and no delay.

So I want to walk through a story.. and here's the first question. What would life look like if God was King? If God was the president, what would it look like if we lived in a theocracy? Well, the good news is we don't have to do a lot of guessing. Some followers of the handmaids’ tale may think I’ve lost my mind but hang with me for a few minutes. There's some things that tell us about what life was like in history. 

God says, Hey, I'm taking you out of slavery and I'm going to give you the land I promised Abraham. And so we read some things. One is the idea that  “ In God's plan for Israel. Every family had a home on the land. with sufficient ground for tilling and thus were provided both the means and the incentive for a useful industrious and self-supporting life. No devising of men has ever improved upon that plan to the world's departure from it is owing to a large degree, the poverty and wretchedness that exists today.

Isaiah chapter 27 has something along these lines - , I'll never forget reading this a few years ago And thinking wow that is very interesting. Isaiah chapter 27 and verse six,

This verse is talking about what would happen if God's people or if God's will was fulfilled in all the earth. It says this, those who come, he shall cause to take root. And Israel shall blossom And bud, ---now we understand today, Israel can apply to anyone that wants to believe--- Israel shall blossom And bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

I Want you to think about where fruit comes from. Think about that statement we just made. If God was in charge and he was saying, look, this is what I want everybody to live by. We’ve  just seen some key details. Now turn with me to Isaiah 14, verse 21. Now we look at the contrast. What I'm sharing is going to sound political,

But to be honest, What's not political? Really these days everything gets thrown in. Ok so we just learned if God's righteous  people filled the earth, what would they do? They'd fill the face of the world with fruit. Here's the other side of the coin. Verse 21 of Isaiah 14. This is in talking about the wicked i.e the selfish. If the wicked ruled the world, what would they do? And it basically gives a warning --- less. They rise up and possess the land and fill the face of the world with Cities…

Something happens with your mind based on where you live. to anyone who had never seen the map of the United States this week, if they were on another planet or they were in another country, they would have started to observe something very interesting --people in the cities think (or in the most recent case - Vote differently than the people in the country. You can start to almost think there was polka dots in the United States. There is a lot, and I'm not going to get into it today, but there is a lot that scripture describes about life in the country versus the city and how it affects your mindset.

So that's a different sermon for a different day. But what I'm asking you, the question is if God was in charge, where would he have people living? And it's clear when we get into this idea a little deeper. So Israel has come into the land and instantly they don't really like this idea. They start to turn and they start to watch the things of the nations around them. And they say, well, maybe they have a better way of doing this. You know, maybe our country isn't so great. They start to say things and do things where the country starts to change from God's ideal.

from the book, patriarchs and prophets. It describes the idea like this, the government of Israel was administered in the name and by the authority of God, and the work of Moses. And in this context, we're going to look at the work of Samuel. So there was a person who led, and then there were the 70 elders. So there's an administrative body and of the rulers and judges throughout the land had  their purpose to enforce the laws that God had given. They had no authority to legislate for the nation. In other words no authority to make up new laws, to infringe upon the rights that God gave every man and woman, when they entered the land. This was and continued to be the condition of Israel's existence. And we learn As a nation, from age to age, men inspired by God were sent to instruct the people and to direct in the enforcement of the laws. 

Ok So let's jump into this story. It's in first Samuel chapter eight, and I think we will see some things we haven't seen before. I know I did, as I studied it this week, first Samuel chapter eight.

Now Samuel was raised up To be a leader for God's people. And God's people were raised up to be a leader to all the world. And the question I want you to ask as we go through the story is why did they stop leading?

Okay, here we go.

Now it came to pass. When Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel. but we learn his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain, they took bribes and they perverted justice. I like to call them politicians, and then all, all the elders of Israel gathered together, came to Samuel at Ramah. They never came to him before to say, Hey, look, there's corruption going on. Your sons are corrupt. They held onto this information until the right time. And then they released it to Samuel. 

So the, the elders of Israel come to him and they say to Samuel, Look, you are old. And your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a King to judge us like all the nations. But this really got Samuel discouraged and felt insulted and hurt.

The commentary on this in the book patriarchs and prophets says Samuels's emotions were going all over the place. He was offended. He was hurt. Have I not done a good job? I'm just doing what God's shown me. But instead he just tells them, I'll take the matter to the Lord. And that's what he does. He goes and prays to the Lord  And the Lord said to Samuel,. Listen to the voice of the people. 

You know, you think you've got God figured out. You think in this situation, if we were watching the news, did you hear all of the States of Israel have come to Samuel? And they have told him, we think you're old and  we need a King, like the nations around us. And then Samuel goes in and you think, Oh, I know how God's going to respond to this. And God says, listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you for, they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them.

according to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them out of Egypt, even to this day with which they have forsaken me and served other gods. So they are doing to you also now, listen to them. However you should warn them. This is the beauty of God. Warn them, show them the behavior of the King, who will reign over them. So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who asked him for a King. 

The next few verses begin to describe how the king will take their children, their crops, raise taxes, how some freedoms would be lost…

And even after Samuel warns them with all this they respond -  nah, we will have a King over us.

That we may also be like all the nations that our King may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles. Samuel hears the words of the people and repeated to the Lord. So the Lord said to Samuel, listen to their voice, make them a King. And Samuel says every man to his city. 

I think this is Absolutely profound. Okay. We fast forward in the story a little bit. To the part of the story where Saul is found as the king in Chapter 10. 

If you've Ever heard the question, are leaders selected or elected? That's always a fun question. First Samuel chapter 10 verses 17 to 19, describe how Samuel clearly shares what will happen. He is quoting the Lord who says “. I brought you up out of Egypt And delivered You from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you, but you have today rejected your God, who himself saved you from all your adversaries and your tribulations. And you have said to him, no, set a King over us. Now, therefore present yourselves before the Lord, by your tribes and by your clans and through this amazing thing, that's almost mystical in the older Testament, they begin casting lots and it gets narrowed down, narrow down, narrow down to the people say, ah, we have selected, or I should I say elected Saul. And what we learn of Saul is Saul is literally head and shoulders taller than everybody in Israel. We're told he is the best looking person we're told he fit the exact stereotype of when they thought of, if we had a King that was better than the nations around us, he would look like this …

That now here's the interesting thing….

God was in this. God had literally led Samuel to anoint Saul as King. You have to ask yourself, well, that's very strange. Why, why would God even help if they've rejected him and Samuel. 

I mean democracies. Last what? A hundred, 200 years. God could have said “Good luck until you literally destroy yourselves, but God isn’t like us. And I think we have an understanding of this in Daniel. Chapter two and this might bring you some encouragement in the moment we live in. And in really any moment when leaders are selected, I mean, elected. In  Daniel chapter two and verse 21,

Daniel says to King Nebuchadnezzar about God. That “He changes the times and the seasons-- he removes Kings and he raises up Kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding ----this profound idea and almost a warning to Nebuchadnezzar. In one moment God sets you up and the next he can take you down.

And it usually, as we look through history that usually hinges on, are you giving my people the freedom to worship as they desire? And as soon as a kingdom or a King does not support that or allow that God says, okay, next, it's a really profound idea. And so in first Samuel, we read something interesting. So here's the scene. Samuel has brought everyone together to make this official. They are actively a part of what they believe are electing the King. God has already anointed Saul, but now they feel we have elected the King. And this is exactly who we want. This is the guy, right?. And yet we learned something very interesting in verse 27, but some rebels said, how can this man save us? So they despised him talking about Saul and brought him no presents.

And here's a little of the backstory we learn about this, the ones that were most vocal in going to Samuel and saying, look, Samuel, your sons are corrupt. We need a King. It is time to do this. We learn, these are the ones that in this moment say this isn't our King. This isn't our guy. No, that's not the one we want it. We want it somebody else. And I like to think this was probably one of the first contested elections, especially in Israel. We know we said we wanted a guy, but we don't want that guy. We want a different guy. And then there's some commentary on it. It says when men choose to have their own way without seeking counsel from God or they are in opposition to his revealed will he often grants their desires in order that through the bitter experience that follows, they may be led to realize they're folly and to repent of their sin.

So that's pretty profound.

So they are saying We don't want God as our King anymore. Samuel you're old. We want to be just like everybody else out there. And God says, okay. And he does it for this reason so that you can see that this is a bad idea. Then it goes on to describe it like this. While the people in general were ready to acknowledge Saul as their King, there was a large party in opposition for a Monarch to be chosen from Benjamin the smallest of the tribes---- and to neglect both Judah and Ephraim, the largest and most powerful was a slight, which they could not overlook. And they refused to profess allegiance to Saul or to bring him the customary presents. Those who had been most urgent in their demand for a King were the very ones that refused to accept. The man of God's appointment. As you could guess --- the members of each faction had their favorite whom they wished to see placed on the throne.

. And so the story progresses, they go off to war. Saul leads them. They win this war. They're so thrilled that in their enthusiasm, they propose to Saul, Hey, Saul, let's put those who don't agree with you being King. Let's put them to death -- Because they refuse to acknowledge your authority and Saul. Interestingly enough he says, no, that is not what God has called me to do. 

So then finally, we have this other moment where Samuel is addressing everyone and he makes himself clear. I didn't sin against you. I just want to be clear. I didn't mess things up. You slid into your own ideas, your own idolatry and all these things. And you're rejecting God. And I just want you to know that. And then we were told in the story that in the middle of the dry season, Samuel says, and I want to show you God's displeasure of what you've done. And out of nowhere comes this massive thunderstorm and they are literally terrified and they repent of their sin, but it's too late.

Then we go forward just so we can have some closure to this story. First, Samuel chapter 13 and verse eight. Again, Saul goes off into war. And as with anyone in leadership, it's easy to think. You know, I'm pretty smart. I got this figured out. I've read. I think I read God's counsel. So I probably remember it pretty well. Saul thinks to himself – Hey look Samuel is delayed. Samuel has told him, wait, seven days, in verse eight of chapter 13. Then he waited seven days. And according to the time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal. So Saul said something like , I got this brilliant idea. And then scripture says, bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me. And he offered the burnt offering. And now it happened as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering that Samuel came and saw, went out that he might greet him. And Samuel said, what have you done?

Well, Saul says. When I saw the people that were scattered for me, you did not come within the days, appointed that the Philistines gathered together and then I said, the Philistines will now come down to me at Gilgal. And I have not made supplication to the Lord. He's making the most beautiful excuse. Therefore, I felt compelled and offered a burn offering. And Samuel said to Saul, you have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord, your God, which he commanded you for. Now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever, but now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for himself, a man after his own heart. That's David we learn, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over his people because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you 

How in the world Was God was in this? God just made him king! Right? . not much time passes. God gives this person an opportunity to do what is right. He doesn't do what is right. And God says the same words from Daniel 2:21, I raise up Kings and I take them down and Saul your time is done. And this really shows you the sovereignty of God in earthly affairs. And we can wonder, and we can perplex and we can have strong emotions and feelings. But at the end of the day, we have to say those words in second Chronicles, chapter 20 verse 12, ----God, why won't you stop them? We have no way to protect ourselves against this great multitude. We don't know what to do-----, but our eyes are on you.

And I think this is where there's an important lesson for us right now. You may be looking at this world and you may be thinking where in the world is God, or perhaps, four years ago, you might've thought that same thing ---where, Oh, my word, Lord, did you fall asleep? How did this happen? But what we see here in Daniel two is somehow in some way that we don't quite fully understand God. the temptation for us is to get caught up in the moment and to wonder if God has gone to sleep, or if he's on vacation rather than Lord, --- in the darkness of the world we're in now where arguably in America, we are in the midst of what some are calling a third world election. Some are asking Lord Where are you?

And that's where the only light on earth is in scripture - , because prophetically, we read about these two powers at the end of time, that appear very, very different. Yet behind the scenes are working together. The Pharisees and the Sadducees on the surface appeared very, very different arguing publicly with people and with each other, but behind the scenes, they were in this together. And our responsibility is Lord, how do I live a life According to the words of this book. 

. It's our duty to love people that we may not think are lovely. And then I think it's our responsibility to say, Lord, I'm not going to get caught up in the distractions where it's tempting for me. I'm going to be very personal right now. It's tempting for me to only have my eyes on earthly affairs, to think of this tax bracket, these tax issues, this moral issue that I deem very important to me, Lord, don't you care about these things. Didn't you come in and to set up this country? Why are things seemingly disintegrating? And I think in this moment, I'm trying to remind myself, I don't think God has given up on us.

Jesus, tells us in Revelation that He literally made a cradle – a nation for this book in history that no other country on earth has been privileged to hold and learn from so freely. And yet, somehow I believe God raised up a country for a special reason. And that there's no other country in the world where people will die, trying to get to.

But I honestly think that is for our moment of apparent peace and prosperity. What will we do about that graciousness that God has given us in this moment? Because as far as I'm concerned, while the whole world is asking, Whoa, what's going on? Where are things trending? I thought it was going this way. Now. It seems like it’s going The other way I am completely convicted now is our moment. Now is our moment to speak to people on both sides of the aisle and all walks of life. And to say, look, I need to tell you something very important. That is not going to make much sense. And if you fall into the political ditches, you're going to think I'm speaking against what you hold sacred.

But taking the time to be true, honest, humble and yet courageous, bold, and full of faith that what God has started…in this country and in you and me---he will bring to completion. That’s my prayer.

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Day of the Dead

There's really no way to describe it. One minute you have it all. The next all is gone. 

Its hard to describe the feeling of death. Unless someone near you has died.

Then you experience that sting that you cannot put into words. Death reminds us about love because we were created to love. And when someone dies, we find it strange, not showing and sharing that love. 

This past summer I had to bury one of our alpacas. Our furry friends can become our family and its like losing someone that you came to love. 

Sweet little alpaca would no longer greet me. 

What is it about death That is so hard to understand? if you've ever lost someone, you know, that feeling that you would do anything to see them again, anything to talk to them again, anything to hug them again.

Death is perhaps the only thing humans have found no cure for. If you’ve ever lost a friend or family member, you know the pain of this. But this morning I want to talk to you about the idea of talking to our dead relatives. If a visitor from another world were to sit down on a couch with us and turn on Hulu or Netflix or Disney – ok especially Disney – there is something – a theme – an idea they would start to pick up. Once I tell you you will say ‘oh yea, that’s true’. 

It's the idea that somehow, there is life beyond. Somehow death is not the end. Somehow, in ways we don’t fully understand…yet – death is still a mystery but that contacting our loved ones --- or them contacting us is such a beautiful thought. 

Here in America, we are pretty obsessed with this idea of death being nothing more than a gateway to the next life. Whether it’s zombies, the undead, ghosts, conjuring spirits or anything we celebrate on Halloween these days – death has become big business – especially the scary side of it. But then there’s the other side – the beautiful side – the idea of reconnecting with our loved ones. 

I lost my dad in a car accident a few years back. There really isn’t much you can say other than ‘man I would trade the whole world – just to talk to that person one more time’ and usually our desire to talk to them is to tell them how much we love them. That’s why in most films – Love and Death are so interconnected. 

Now if you’ve ever heard of the story of scripture – the real meta narrative you would know that this war between good and evil – love and selfishness – life and death started before humans arose on the scene. With this war, a large segment of the citizens of another realm were kicked out of the capital of the galactic realms. 

And the bible basically tells us the inner workings of this war and it really comes down to who has the power over life…and death. 

The bible describes a day in our future when it will seem as though the dead – from our time and centuries in the past will appear to us . Now the question we should be asking if this is a battle for our souls and our destiny – could it be possible that this banished legion race of beings could personify our loved ones with the hope and attempt to deceive us? 

If your loved one walked up behind you right now and sounded, smelled and seemed the same as they did while alive – is there anything you know or believe that would help you determine if this was them or not? 

And on that note, if death is just a portal to the next life then why do we fight so hard to stay alive? 

We love the idea of talking to the dead, celebrating life after death and who can blame us ? 

The Sumerians did, the Egyptians did,  the Persians, the Greeks, the idea of talking to the dead is found in Homer's Odyssey..and  the Romans And now the Christians.  Ok you get it, its chronic, and its basically everyone. 

So here's a few stats about this phenomenon, Pew research, estimated that nearly 1.4 million people – that’s more people than there are members of my denomination – that 1.4 million people in the United States identify as practicing Witches.  

There are more witches in North America than there are mainline Presbyterians author. Julie Royce is quoted as saying that Wicca is A form of paganism that is effectively repackaged witchcraft for the millennial consumption. No longer are witchcraft and paganism, satanic and demonic. It's a pre-Christian tradition that promotes free thought and understanding of earth and nature. 

I’m really fascinated right now with the gorwing discussion or tension I should say of people who worship the creator vs. those who worship the creation. I think this is the great issue of worship in the world today – it was the same in history – whether they were called gentiles or heathen or pagans vs those who were monotheistic. 

The American religious identification survey gives Wicca an average annual growth of 143%. And latest estimates say that the movement is doubling in size every 30 months. According to the journal, the statesman and Elizabeth wind claims the two most recent American religious identification surveys, declare WCA one form of paganism as the fastest growing spiritual identification in America. 

The high holiday of wicca and paganism is Halloween. It finds its origin over 2000 years ago, with the Druids when it was believed that the boundary between this world and the underworld was thinner than usual, where the spirits could come into the world more easily, but not just any spirits. a supernatural race of spirits generally described as stunningly beautiful. But if they want They can also be terrible and hideous. According to Patricia Monahan, most scholars believed they were a degraded version of ancient gods. Also on this night, the souls of dead relatives were thought to visit the homes of all who celebrated The Holiday, 

The Holiday involved people going house to house in costume or in disguise, usually reciting verses or songs in exchange for food. It may have originally been a tradition whereby people impersonated the the souls of the dead and received offerings on their behalf. 

People Would set out soul cakes full of sweet fruit on out all hallows' Eve as an offering for the dead. This is where most believe we find the origin of trick or treat for all those good yummy candies. Americans, mostly Protestants did not celebrate this holiday for reasons of conviction, but as the cultural makeup changed. So did the celebration in the late 1800s and into the 19th and the 20th century,

Halloween is branded as scary and spooky in the United States. but Let's contrast that with the day of the dead or DIA de Los Muertos festivities that take place over two days in an explosion of color and life affirming joy in Mexico and central and South America and growing around the world.

This idea of engaging with the dead is not isolated to a few holidays. We see it in our literature, in our television shows and in our movies and kids are not excluded from this phenomenon. First, there was Casper. Now there's Coco. ThePixar film that was the number one film of all time in Mexico. It is one of the top 100 grossing films of all time. 

So what does the Bible say about this? Perhaps you care, perhaps you don't, but I at least think you, owe it to yourself to know what the Bible says about this idea of talking to the dead. 

Here’s one reason – nearly 2 billion people call themselves Christians in the world. Most of them believe the dead can make contact with us. Yet the bible says those who die, never return to the land of the living – but guess who it says do ? The fallen angels of heaven – to deceive. The gospel of Jesus is sin leads to death but I have died for you so that you can live forever. The gospel of Lucifer says sin is not that bad, live as you wish, death is the just the beginning. One we find in John 3:16 – the latter in Genesis 3:4. We are going to put a link to some more details on this idea in the comments below this video. 

Ok so Here’s another reason -  it's not the dead you're talking to. That's the most startling thing the Bible has to say about this topic. You are not talking to your dead relatives. According to the Bible, the dead sleep and await a resurrection. They don't have thoughts or feelings and they don't come back to talk to the living. 

If we go back to the beginning of the story, the first message shared by the fallen angel Lucifer was to Eve in a garden. And this was it. Eve, regardless of your actions, you'll never die. No matter what you do, you're going to live forever. This is where we get the idea that death is just a doorway into the next state of consciousness. But if this is true, this is a question we should ask ourselves, are we all saved? How does that make you feel? Everyone ends up being saved. Maybe that makes you feel good. Maybe that makes you wonder about that person that abused you. When you were a kid about Hitler, about people in the world that do what we call evil things. You mean they're going to be my neighbor in paradise without a standard by which people are determined to live in paradise or not. We have to ask ourselves, what is that standard?

I don't like the idea of living next to Hitler in paradise. The reason this idea is so important is because it has so many ramifications. Are we judged ? If so by whom? are we all saved? Why would someone not be saved? If we die and pass on to the next life or paradise, then why not expedite the process? Why do we fight off death so much in this world? Why not let the sick die faster? Why don't we stop looking for cures to all these diseases? Why don't we get rid of things like life support.

It's easy to play with this idea until you come face to face with it. 

1st Samuel chapter 28. This is the story of a man who was King. he's in despair. There is an army gathering against his country against his kingdom. And in verse three, we read now Samuel had died. Everything changes when someone close to you dies and nothing can prepare you for it. All Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah in his own city and saul, had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land. These are key details. He had put them out and there's a reason for that.

Saul Had followed God. And while he did, he had success. But the land was filled with the Philistines and their religion, like most heathen or pagan religions, like most all religions in the world today were built on the belief that the dead can come back and talk to the living that they can help foretell future events. 

If you had someone that could tell you what tomorrow may bring, you would absolutely want to know. Even if it meant they were coming back from the dead.

. The gods of the old Testament were not just imaginary. 

Talking about these ‘gods’ David tells us the history of his people and the great sin of King Saul- 

They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood (Psalm 106:34-38).

the demons, the fallen angels, legion race were the gods of the old Testament and all these different gods were demons that somehow in some way had personified themselves. And then the people had made an idol after this demon. And if the angels are in the proportions that we read and legend says, they're extremely tall, 12, 16, 18 foot tall beings, and very Beautiful. 

(Deut 32:16-17). They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known

Deuteronomy 18 also tells us that they were sacrificing their children, 

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10 that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God.

This was profound. When I learned this concept that these weren't just ignorant people. They were worshiping beings with a ton of talent and skill and wisdom.

Early Church leaders such as Justin Martyr and Tertullian held similar views (that the gods were actually demons).

Why would ancient civilizations talk to these beings? We learn in 2 Kings 19:35 that one angel – one of these type of beings killed 185,000 soldiers in one night. You hear talk of generals from wars in our recent history who were communing with these same beings. 

Saul had followed God's word in the beginning and gotten rid of the mediums. The spiritists, the fortune tellers, the necromancers anyone that claimed to get truth from the dead

Saul’s army – Israel is surrounded, death seems imminent – He’s terrified. And when Saul prayed, we are told the Lord did not answer him either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. Saul is looking for answers, what are we supposed to do. And sadly we learn that he had rejected God earlier in the story. 

Samuel's dead. He was the voice of God to Saul. When you lose someone close to you in your life, you instantly start looking for someone to talk to, especially if this person was close to you. 

When I lost my dad, I remember thinking, I would do anything to talk to him. I knew the biblical teaching of the dead. But for months and months after, I would have dreams about my dad. And it began to mess with my mind because I would see my dad in my dreams. I would talk to him. 

It's not until you lose someone that you realize this power of love,

This idea of loss.

It helps you really  Begin to understand the power of this doctrine of Lucifer. 

A Friend of mine shared a story with me about a young boy in Africa. He loved to spend time with his grandmother. She would read stories to him. She would play with him and he just loved his grandma.

 He would sit by her while she read these stories in her rocking chair. Sadly, she got sick and she died. And the mom knew that the boy took this very hard. He loved his grandmother, but for weeks after she noticed him coming into the house with a smile on his face and heading straight to his room.

She couldn't put the pieces together. So finally, she asked him, why are you going straight into your room? And he said because grandma rubs my head and read stories to me. 

Life is made up of these concepts and ideas, which equate to emotions and actions. You have a choice. No one else has this choice to determine what you believe and how it affects your behavior. What we believe about this topic may have greater consequences than many give it credit for.

So we pick up our story in 1 Samuel 28. Saul asks for a medium, his men know exactly where to find one. 

But in the end it spelled disaster. 

See our notes for a deeper study on this topic. 

More Detailed Referenced Notes Below: 

Question: There is no way to describe the sting of death until you experience it for yourself. Death reminds us about love because we were created to love and when someone dies we find it strange not showing and sharing that love anymore. 

A few weeks back I found one of our alpacas that had died in the night and I was devastated. I loved her so much. What is it about death that is so hard to understand? If you have ever lost someone you know the feeling that you’d do anything to see them again, to talk to them again. Death is perhaps the only thing humans have not found the cure for. I want to tell you the story of a king who lost his closest confidant. That person he could share his heart with. He was in despair not knowing where to turn for hope and in that moment he did something he condemned others for doing and began looking for a medium - someone who could conjure up the dead. 

Preview: If the Bible is true, the countless experiences of the living talking to dead loved ones may not be as they seem. If 1/3 of the angels were cast out of heaven, and are in a war against us, what do you think would be the best way to get into your life?  By what means? If by chance it was through someone you loved, how would you know the difference between talking to a dead relative or a demon impersonating your loved one? And if the dead are permitted in to paradise, why would they not in love come back and minister to us in the land of the living? 

Data/Facts: We love the idea of communicating with the dead, and celebrating life after death. And hey who can blame us? The Sumerians did, the Egyptians did, the Persians, the Greeks, The Romans, and now the Christians… The oldest account of necromancy -talking to the dead- outside of Scripture is found in Homer’s Odyssey.

• Pew Research in 2014 estimated that with numbers at nearly 1.4 million - There may now be more Americans who identify as practicing witches/wiccans… than there are Seventh-day Adventists in North America. More than there are members of mainline Presbyterianism.” -…(https://qz.com/quartzy/1411909/the-explosive-growth-of-witches-wiccans-and-pagans-in-the-us/)
• Author Julie Roys says - “Wicca (which is a form of paganism) has effectively repackaged witchcraft for Millennial consumption. No longer are witchcraft and paganism satanic and demonic… it’s a ‘pre-Christian tradition’ that promotes ‘free thought’ and ‘understanding of earth and nature.’ - says. Yet such repackaging is deceptive, Roys added, "but one that a generation with little or no biblical understanding is prone to accept."It's tragic, and a reminder of how badly we need spiritual revival in this country, and also that 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world,'" she said, referencing Ephesians 6, which explains spiritual warfare.
• The American Religious Identification Survey gives Wicca an average annual growth of 143% and latest estimates say that the movement is doubling in size every 30 months [179][269] According to The Statesman - Anne Elizabeth Wynn claims "The two most recent American Religious Identification Surveys declare Wicca, one form of paganism, as the fastest growing spiritual identification in America”.[270]
• From the Witch School in Salem, Massachusettes, yea its a real thing and really in Salem. “ Wicca is America's Fastest Growing religion, and it is anticipated by some Christian religious experts that it will become the third largest religion in the United States early in the 21st century, behind only Christianity and Islam. Editor Thomas Horn states - “In the United States alone, … [there are] as many as 8 million unregistered practitioners of ‘the craft’.”

This leads us to the second biggest holiday in America - Halloween. 

•  Halloween has become big business in the United States. 
•  2nd highest spending after Christmas. $9.0 Billion this year - 2 billion dollars more than all that was spent on the 2016 elections. We will spend more money escaping reality for a day than we did electing the leaders of the free world. 
• There is a reason flu season coincides with Halloween with the amount of candy eaten in the next week. 
• Halloween finds it origin over 2000 years ago with the Celts/Druids who called it Samhain, when it was believed that the boundary between this world and the underworld was thinner than usual. Where the spirits could come into the world more easily. But not just any spirits - the Eeesheee - a supernatural race of spirits. The aos sí are generally described as stunningly beautiful, though they can also be terrible and hideous. According to Patricia Monaghan, most scholars believed they were a degraded versions of ancient gods.  Monaghan, Patricia (2014). The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Infobase publishing. p. 167.)

Also on this night, the souls of dead relatives were thought to visit the homes of all who celebrated. 

The holiday involved people going house-to-house in costume (or in disguise), usually reciting verses or songs in exchange for food. It may have originally been a tradition whereby people impersonated the Aos Sí, or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf, similar to the custom of souling. Impersonating these beings, or wearing a disguise, was also believed to protect oneself from them. It was a holiday of impersonation. Impersonation - Someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. People would set out ‘soul cakes’ full of sweet fruit - on All Hallows' Eve as an offering for the dead. This is where most believe we find the origin of trick or treating for sweets. ( Kullstroem, Chris (27 May 2009). Making a Monstrous Halloween: Themed Parties, Activities and Events. McFarland. p. 85. ISBN9780786444380. “The Halloween tradition of trick-or-treating started as a European Christian custom called souling.”) 

For a long time Americans, mostly protestants, did not celebrate this holiday for religious reasons. As the cultural makeup changed so did the celebration. In the late 1800s and into the 20th century it became a community holiday and did not include the spook and dark side that we see coming back today. Perhaps where there is no light, darkness reigns.  

This idea of conjuring the dead is said to be one of the most common themes in most video games today - usually by raising up warriors as zombies to fight in battle.

Halloween is branded as scary and spooky in the United States. It is celebrated over the course of a day. Day of the Dead or Dia de los Muertos festivities however, unfold over two or more days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy in Mexico, in central and south America and growing around the world.

The Day of the Dead originated several thousand years ago with the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who considered mourning the dead disrespectful. For these pre-Hispanic cultures, death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. The dead were still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit—and during Día de los Muertos, they temporarily returned to Earth.

Then there is the altar. Where families put the favorite food of the family member and even toys the children because of their long journey. Often they will put marigolds leading the way back to the grave. 

This idea is not isolated to a few holidays. We see it in literature, in our television shows and in our movies and kids are not excluded.

For Example - the Pixar film - Coco - the #1 film of all time in Mexico and one of the highest grossing films of all time is all about making the idea of talking to our dead loved ones as fun as the day of the dead portrays. 

What once was condemned we now pay to enjoy. 

So what does the Bible say about this idea of communicating with the dead? 

First off, it’s not the dead we are communicating with. According to the Bible the dead sleep and await a resurrection. They don’t have thoughts or feelings and don’t come back to talk to the living. 

So then who is it so many are talking to? 

The first message shared by the fallen angel Lucifer to Eve was “regardless of your actions, you won’t die” This is where we get the idea that death is just a doorway to the next state of consciousness. 

But if this is true, then are we all saved? Without a standard by which people are determined to live in paradise or not, are all saved? Do I have the joy of looking forward to living next to Hitler and other evil men in paradise? 

I don’t like that idea. The reason this idea is so important is because it has so many ramifications. Are we judged? By whom? Based on what? Are we all saved? Why would someone not be saved? If we die and pass on to the next life or paradise, then why not expedite that process? Why do we fight off death so much in the world, why not let the sick die faster, stop looking for cures to diseases, get rid of things like life support. 

It’s easy to play with this idea until you come face to face with it. 

BIBLE/STORY - 

Setting - 1 Samuel 28:3(Endor) - Saul had followed God and while he did he had success. The land was filled with the Phillistines and their religion which was built on the belief that the dead can come back and talk to the living…and that they can help foretell future events. 

Not many know that the great gods of the old testament were not just neat ideas, they were based on something. (https://www.thoughtco.com/false-gods-of-the-old-testament-700162)

—-

Talking about these ‘gods’ David tells us the history of his people and the great sin of King Saul- 

They did not destroy the peoples, as the Lord commanded them, but they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons; they poured out innocent blood (Psalm 106:34-38).

We learn here that the gods of the old testament were actually demons.

(Deut 32:16-17). They stirred him to jealousy with strange gods; with abominations they provoked him to anger. They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known

Deut 18:9-12 - 9When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do according to the abominations of those nations. 10There shall not be found among you any one who maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or who useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all who do these things are an abomination unto the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee (KJV).

Though Mosaic Law prescribed the death penalty to practitioners of necromancy (Leviticus 20:27

What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (1 Cor 10:20-22)

Early Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr and Tertullian held similar views (that the gods were actually demons).

——

So just to be clear, the fallen angels are also known as demons. And the demons were what the majority of nations worshipped in the old world. 

Psalm 8:5 tells us man was made with lesser powers than the angels

How powerful is one angel - we know from 2 Kings 19:35 - one angel killed 185,000 soldiers in one night. 

The Good news is that each of us has a guardian angel commissioned to be with us through our lives. Now if you have a full time bodyguard with superpowers, could it be that your life is threatened by an enemy? 

So Saul had gotten rid of Mediums, Spiritists,, fortunetellers - Necromancers as Deuteronomy commanded. 

1 Samuel 28:3-6

Saul is longing for answers. Notice verse 3 - Samuel has died. He was the voice of God to Saul. Have you ever lost someone close to you? You know this feeling of love being cut off suddenly. 

I have. A few years back I got a call that my dad had died in a car accident. Sudden. You think of the your last conversation. You think of the good times. You would do ANYTHING to talk to them again. 

Let me repeat that - You would do ANYTHING to talk to them again. 

I know the Bible teaching on the dead, yet for months and even years I would have dreams where I would see my dad, talk to him, even know he was dead yet everything in my being - in my dream - wanted to hug him, talk to him. 

Not until you lose someone and realize the power of love and loss do you begin to really understand the power of this doctrine of the devil - that death is a doorway to the next life. 

Did I think it was a good thought if my dad was looking down from heaven or up from hell at his family so sad without him? 

When we really think of death and the heresies that have come even into the church we have to realize why so many want nothing to do with God. 

Saul was desperate and he called for a medium. He knew better but he was would do ANYTHING to find answers.

1 Samuel 28:7- 25

——-

Why address this today? Because if the Bible is true, then something is coming, a deception thousands of years in the making onto our planet. 

The most powerful medium - friends and family, who seem to come to us, look the same, sound the same, smell the same, and are here to comfort us and ‘warn us’ of coming danger. I can tell you everything in your soul will WANT TO BELIEVE these beings impersonating your loved ones. This is where faith and feeling will fight their greatest battle. The only thing telling you this is not real is Scripture and the truth that the dead know nothing (Eccl 9:5) and Job 7:9-10 - As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.

1 Timothy 4:1 - The Spirit clearly says that in the last days some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.

1 Timothy 4:3 - For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

• as we learn this story of the battle between good and evil we learn that there are other worlds out there (Hebrews 11) we learn that 1/3 of the angels and their general are confined to this earth now.(Revelation 12) We learn that those beings from other worlds are not coming here to be contaminated by sin. Therefore we are under quarantine. Which means any discussion of aliens is a discussion of fallen angels visiting this planet. I know Hollywood has painted a picture that together if we unite we can fight the coming invaders, but the only invaders coming from outside of this planet are Christ and the unfallen angels at the second coming, because the fallen ones are already here. 

Demons - fallen angels - are organized, have special skills like filling someone with pride, anger, lust, rage, depression, despair, gluttony, resentment and the list goes on…

The new testament is filled with examples of demon possession especially as Jesus walked the earth. In Mark 5:9 we learn of a man suffering possession and it is declared to be “Legion” when Jesus asked the name - the roman term for at least 5000 in a division of the army. 

We also learn in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Lucifer - the fallen archangel of heaven is planning to personate christ before the true second coming. We also learn that the fallen angels are going to impersonate loved ones who have gone to sleep i.e. died. Why? Because this is the most powerful MEDIUM to sway someones belief system. 

I had a friend in elementary school who’s family had spoken to their dead daughter- his sister. There is NO. LET ME REPEAT. NO WAY to reason with someones apparent reality. They saw her, they spoke to her, and I was not going to convince them otherwise. 

The dead can appear to talk to the living, it’s just not the dead but demons masquerading as loved ones with the sole desire to deceive us. 

A friend recently shared a story about a boy in Africa. He loved to spend time with his grandmother and sit by her while she read stories to him in her rocking chair. Sadly she got sick and died. The mom knew the boy took this very hard. For weeks after, she noticed he kept heading to his room more often than usual and with a look of happiness. Finally she asked him why. He said because grandma rubs my head and reads stories to me still.

Life is made up of concepts and ideas which equate to emotions and actions. You have a choice on what you believe and how it effects your behavior. 

This topic and a complete understanding of it impacts so many other beliefs and ideas. It has influenced this planet since the first day and will be an issue until the last day. 

The reason it is all so important is because it is about love. God loves us and does not want to see us deceived and lost. We have to decide if that love is worth it…

For why should we seek the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5)

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Scenario:

Its morning again in America….

Wake up America…morning’s over

I was asleep before…that’s how we let it happen

There was a crisis…They blamed terrorists and suspended the constitution…we didn’t wake up then either

Now I’m awake…

----------------------------

Those aren’t my words. Those are the words from a superbowl ad that ran last year

An ad for a story that takes place….in an age of rampant pornography, increasing violence against women, declining morals in America, environmental disaster and decay…

Until finally the religious right – a group of Christians takes control of the US Government…it becomes a totalitarian theocracy….and bibles are banned and morality is legislated and forced upon all citizens. It’s a series based on Margaret Atwood’s book – The Handmaids Tale.

When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.... -= Ellen White– {LDE 131.1}

The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The “mark of the beast” still remains to be defined. {GC 445.2}

Tale or Truth?

 

The American dream - why is that?

 

Hunted becomes the Hunter – Persecuted becomes the persecutor

Persecution of native Americans, of the Japanese, of African Americans 

I BELIEVE AMERICA….IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN HISTORY

America’s future ----how we got here. 

Empires have ruled the world for thousands of years. as providence saw fit they rose and fall and most often their demise was related with the removal of the freedom of conscience.

We can see it in Egypt, Babylon, Greece, Rome…then that moment came when the babe in a manger - you know the one we count time by - i.e. BC and AD? So he comes along and inserts a revolutionary idea that man needs no intermediary to connect with Divinity.

Paganism - ie nature worship was the dominant force throughout history.

Constantine…. and Rome

compromise was the solution. 

He melds religion and government and the seed of the papacy was born. The papacy would rule the world for 1260 years - well that was according to the prophecy anyway—and in 538 we find it roots and in 1798 we find its fruit - the French Revolution. 

The Papal Empire had built itself off of persecution, legislating morality, limiting freedom of speech and conscience and especially perverting the teaching of Jesus.

Ok so what does this have to do with America? 

One author put it like this - Once people hated God so much because they thought the papacy was what god was like since the leader of the system claimed to be god on earth - eventually people had enough, they had nothing left to lose - so in the streets of France - they lost it. 

And as men and women were fleeing the persecution and corruption of the old world, they were doing all they could to get to the stores of America. 

In the last centuries of the dark ages - think about that - we literally label a time when the religious right got in bed with the government… as the dark ages. 

And to put the cherry on top - the Jesus in the book of revelation literally called the church a harlot for cheating on him with the empire. Then he says in Revelation 13 - Lucifer. Himself gave them his power and throne. 

So people are fleeing the old world and into the new - for one thing - I want freedom. I want to worship as I want to. I want to work and reap. The fruit of my labor. 

Was America perfect? No. But the prophecy foretold of that too. 

Revelation 13 - is where we find the prophecy of America. 

Two world powers are symbolized in Revelation chapter 13. Before we look at the second we need to understand and identify the first power?

This kingdom would claim to be god and claim to have the power to forgive sins – both of the definitions of blasphemy. It would rule the world for 1260 years….In 1798, French General Berthier inflicted a deadly wound upon the papacy when he took the pope captive.

 

Another Nation would arise Next :

“I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11).

Prophecy predicted that America would arise from a sparsely settled area.

The papal captivity mentioned in verse 10 took place in 1798, and the new power (verse 11) was seen emerging at that time. The United States declared its independence in 1776, voted the Constitution in 1787, adopted the Bill of Rights in 1791, and was clearly recognized as a world power by 1798. The timing obviously fits America. No other power could possibly qualify.

4. What is the significance of the beast “coming up out of the earth”?

 

Answer:   This nation arises "out of the earth" instead of out of the water as did the other nations mentioned in Daniel and Revelation. We know from Revelation that water symbolizes areas of the world that have a large population. "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Revelation 17:15. Therefore, the earth represents the opposite. It means that this new nation would arise in an area of the world that had been virtually unpopulated before the late 1700s. It could not arise among the crowded and struggling nations of the Old World. It had to come up in a sparsely populated continent.

 

5. What is symbolized by its two lamb-like horns and absence of crowns?

 

Answer:   Horns represent kings and kingdoms or governments (Daniel 7:24; 8:21). In this case, they represent the United States’ two governing principles: civil and religious liberty. These two principles have also been labeled “republicanism” (a government without a king) and “Protestantism” (a church without a pope). Other nations since ancient times had taxed people to support a state religion. Most had also oppressed religious dissidents. But the United States established something entirely new: freedom to worship without government interference. Absence of crowns signifies a republican form of government, rather than a monarchy. Lamb-like horns denote an innocent, young, non-oppressive, peace-loving, and spiritual nation. (Jesus is referred to as a lamb 28 times in Revelation.)

6. What does Revelation 13:11 mean when it says the United States will speak “like a dragon”?

Characteristics and behavior of a dragon – Revelation 12:9 – Lucifer is the Dragon

What are characteristics of Jesus – the lamb? What is the opposite?

Legend of Dragons eating Lambs…

7. What specifically will the United States do that will cause it to speak as a dragon?

 

A. “Exercises all the authority of the first beast” (Revelation 13:12) The United States will become a persecuting power that will force people to go against their conscience, as did papal Rome—which is portrayed in the first half of Revelation chapter 13.

B. “Causes (forces) the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed” (Revelation 13:12).

Signs of the Times May 6, 1897, “FORCE is the LAST result of every FALSE religion.”

The United States will lead the nations of the world in forcing allegiance to the papal antichrist. The issue is always worship. Who will you worship and obey? Will it be Christ, your Creator and Redeemer, or antichrist? Every soul on earth will finally worship one or the other. Satan’s approach will appear to be deeply spiritual, and incredible miracles will be seen (Revelation 13:13, 14)—which will deceive billions (Revelation 13:3). Those who refuse to join this movement will be considered divisive, stubborn, radical, and unpatriotic. Jesus labeled Protestant America of the end time a “false prophet” (Revelation 19:20; 20:10),

“I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe” (John 14:29).

C. “Telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived” (Revelation 13:14). The United States will make an image to the beast by legislating religious practice. It will pass laws requiring worship and force people to either obey them or face death. This action is a copy—or “image”—of the church-state form of government the papacy ruled with at the height of her power during the Middle Ages, when millions were slain for their faith. The United States will combine civil government and apostate Protestantism in a “marriage” that will support the papacy. It will then influence all the nations of the world to follow her example. Thus, the papacy will gain worldwide support.

D. “And cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15). The United States, as head of this international movement, will next influence the nations of the world to impose a death sentence upon all who refuse to worship the beast or his image. Another name for this worldwide coalition is “Babylon the Great.”

8. Over what specific issues will force be utilized and the death sentence passed?

“He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:15–17).

Answer:   The final points of contention will be worshiping and obeying the beast and receiving his mark—honoring Sunday as a false holy day versus worshiping and obeying Christ and receiving His mark by honoring the holy seventh-day Sabbath. (For details, see Study Guide 20.) When the issues become clear and people are forced to break the Sabbath or be killed, those who then choose Sunday will be, in essence, worshiping the beast. They will have chosen to obey the word of a creature, a man, instead of the word of their Creator, Jesus Christ. Here is the papacy’s own statement: “The church changed Sabbath to Sunday and all the world bows down and worships upon that day in silent obedience to the mandates of the Catholic Church” (Hartford Weekly Call, February 22, 1884).

9. Could a government really control buying and selling?

Answer:   : During World War II, buying was controlled by requiring ration stamps for such items as sugar, tires, and fuel. Without these stamps, money was worthless. In this computerized age, a similar system would be easy to set up. For instance, unless you agreed to cooperate with the worldwide coalition, your Social Security Number could be entered into a database, showing that you are disqualified to make a purchase. No one knows precisely how all this will come about, but you can

be positive it will happen—because in Revelation 13:16, 17, God says it will.

Two Emerging Powers

Revelation chapter 13 is clear. Two superpowers will emerge in the end time: the United States of America and the papacy. The United States will support the papacy by leading a drive to force the people of the world to worship the beast power (papacy) and receive his mark or else face death.

The next two questions will evaluate the strength of these two superpowers.

The papacy is the strongest religio-political power on earth.

11. How strong and influential is the United States today?

Answer:   The United States is regarded as the world’s most powerful military force and the world’s center of influence. Note the following:

A. “In the key categories of power, the U.S. will remain dominant for the foreseeable future.” —Ian Bremmer, Time magazine, May 28, 2015

B. “What ultimately makes the difference between war and peace ... is not good intentions, or strong words, or a grand coalition. It is the capability, credibility, and global reach of American hard power.” —Senator John McCain, November 15, 2014

C. “The United States is and remains the one indispensable nation. That has been true for the century passed and it will be true for the century to come.” —President Barack Obama, May 28, 2014

D. France’s then-foreign minister, Hubert Vérdine, told a Paris audience that he defined

“the United States as a ‘hyperpower’ ... a country that is dominant or predominant in

all categories.” —The New York Times, February 5, 1999

12. What other factors could help set the stage for a worldwide law to execute those who refuse to violate conscience?

The scenes of Matthew 24 – Climate Disasters, Economic Hardship, Moral Decay, Corruption of the Christian Church

A backlash against terrorism, lawlessness, immorality, permissiveness, injustice, poverty, ineffective political leaders, and many similar woes could easily precipitate a demand for strong, specific laws to be rigidly enforced.

13. As world conditions worsen, what will Satan do to deceive the masses?

“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived” (Revelation 13:13, 14).

Answer:   The United States will experience a counterfeit revival and will insist that religious

laws be passed to force every person to participate (represented by “an image to the beast” in Revelation 13:14). People will be forced to disregard God’s holy seventh-day Sabbath and worship instead on the beast’s “holy” day—Sunday. Some will comply merely for social or economic reasons. World conditions will become so intolerable that a worldwide “back to God” movement, with all joining in worship and prayer on Sunday, will be presented as the only solution. Satan will deceive the world into believing that they must compromise Bible truth and keep Sunday holy. But in reality, obedience to and worship of the beast will indicate the refusal of most people to enter God’s kingdom. No wonder Jesus makes such an issue in Revelation over worshiping the beast and receiving his mark!

14. While interest in the counterfeit revival heightens, what will be happening to the genuine worldwide revival sponsored by God’s end-time people?

 

Answer:   The Bible says the entire world will be “illuminated” with glory (Revelation 18:1). Every person on earth will be reached (Mark 16:15) with God’s end-time, three-point message of Revelation 14:6–14. God’s last-day church will grow with amazing speed as millions join God’s people and accept His offer of salvation by grace and faith in Jesus, which transforms them into His obedient servants. Many people and leaders from all countries of the world will refuse to worship the beast nor embrace his false teachings. Instead, they will worship and obey Jesus. They will then receive His holy Sabbath sign, or mark, in their foreheads (Revelation 7:2, 3), thus sealing them for eternity. (See Study Guide 20 for additional information on God’s seal.)

Spiraling Growth Infuriates the Counterfeit Movement

This spiraling growth among God’s people will infuriate the counterfeit movement. Its leaders will become fully convinced that those who refuse to cooperate with the worldwide counterfeit revival are the cause of all the world’s woes (Daniel 11:44). They will disqualify them from buying and selling (Revelation 13:16, 17), but the Bible promises that food, water, and protection for God’s people will be sure (Isaiah 33:16; Psalm 34:7).

As his crowning miracle, Satan will impersonate Jesus.

15. In desperation, the U.S.-led coalition will decide to impose the death sentence on its enemies (Revelation 13:15). What does Revelation 13:13, 14, say its leaders will do to convince people that God is with them?

Answer:    They will work miracles—so convincing that everyone except God’s faithful end-time people will be persuaded (Matthew 24:24). Utilizing the spirits (fallen angels) of Satan (Revelation 16:13, 14), they will impersonate dead loved ones (Revelation 18:23) and probably

even pose as Bible prophets and apostles. These lying (John 8:44) demonic spirits will doubtless

claim that God has sent them to urge all to cooperate.

16. How can we be safe from powerful end-time deceptions?

 

Answer:   A. Test every teaching by the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11; Isaiah 8:20).

The Bible says, “The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2).

4. As we study the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, it seems apparent that the real enemy is always the devil. Is this true?

Absolutely! Satan is always the real enemy. Satan works through earth’s leaders and nations

to hurt God’s people and thus bring heartache to Jesus and the Father. Satan is the one responsible for all evil. Let’s blame him and be careful how we judge people or organizations who hurt God’s people and church. They are sometimes totally unaware that they are harming anyone. But that is never true of Satan. He is always fully aware. He hurts God and His people intentionally.

In its prophecies, the term beast is a symbol for a mighty nation. The proof is in Daniel 7, a chapter that parallels Revelation 13. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 refer to beasts, ten horns, a boastful mouth speaking pompous words, and intense warfare against God’s people (compare Daniel 7:3-8, 21 with Revelation 13:1-7). Specifically, Daniel 7 describes four great beasts: a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a dragon-like creature. Embedded in the same chapter, an angelic interpreter confirmed: “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth” (Daniel 7:23).

So, we can nail this down: According to Daniel 7—which parallels Revelation 13—a beast in Bible prophecy isn’t a computer or super-evil person, but a mighty kingdom or nation. That’s what the angel said. Historically, 98% of reputable Christian Bible commentaries have interpreted Daniel’s four beasts to represent the ancient nations of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. This is a fact.

Out of the Earth

But there’s more. Revelation 13:11 continues: “I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.” Thus, John saw a great nation rising into power. From where? “Out of the earth,” the prophet predicted. By way of contrast, all four of the beasts in Daniel 7 “came up from the sea” (Daniel 7:3). What does “water” represent? Again, prophecy pinpoints a clear answer: multitudes of people. We know this because in a parallel prophecy another angel confirmed: “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues”(Revelation 17:15, italics added).

True to the facts of history, ancient Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome all arose from the midst of a sea of peoples in Europe and the Middle East. Not so with the beast in Revelation 13:11. It comes from the earth. Thus, Revelation 13:11 points to a great nation rising out of a sparsely inhabited area.

Like a Lamb

“I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb.” (Revelation 13:11). Each word is significant. The true Lamb of God is Jesus Christ who offered His life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world (see John 1:29; 3:16). “Like a lamb” indicates that this nation would have lamblike or Christian features. A lamb is a young animal, a baby sheep. This nation would at one time be youthful and new. Significantly, its “two horns” have no crowns like the first beast described in Revelation 13:2. Crowns represent kingly power. So, in Revelation 13:11 we see a new nation, with gentle, lamblike, Christian features, rising out of a sparsely inhabited area. It is led by a crown-less government, not ruled by kings.

Are the pieces coming together yet?

Superpower

Here’s the shocker: Revelation 13 also reveals that this mysterious beast with two horns like a lamb would achieve superpower status near the end of time. Then it would degenerate and, during earth’s closing moments, lead out in the global enforcement of the mark of the beast. God’s Word reports: “He [the lamblike beast] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark” (Revelation 13:16,17).

These ominous verses parallel the last part of Revelation 13:11 which describes the final, tragic act of the lamblike beast: he “spoke like a dragon.” Let’s examine it closely. The beast “causes” all to have a mark—it compels or resorts to force. “All” emphasizes its global influence. Finally, the beast’s control of buying and selling clearly indicates that the world’s economy is involved.

Putting the Pieces Together

Let’s put all the pieces together:

1. Revelation 13:11 pinpoints the rising of a great beast.
2. In prophecy, a beast represents a great nation.
3. This nation rises out of the earth, or wilderness area.
4. This nation starts out young, like a baby lamb.
5. This nation has lamblike, Christian characteristics.
6. This nation has horns with no crowns—it has no kings.
7. This nation achieves superpower status near the close of time.
8. This nation influences the world’s economy.
9. This nation finally speaks like a dragon.
10. This nation finally enforces the mark of the beast.

Be honest: How many nations on Planet Earth today fit all ten of these clear, unquestionable, Heaven-inspired details?

Only one.

 

 

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