Introduction.
What is the greatest event of our time? By our time I mean the last couple of hundred years and the time ahead of us. In this perspective, there is undoubtedly only one event that can be talked about and that is Jesus’ return to this earth to deliver his faithful people. When this will happen, no one can say with certainty. Trying to time this to a specific date or a specific year will only be unqualified guesswork. One thing we know for sure, and that is that we are living in the last times – in the end times as an extended term.
I will begin with a small excerpt from Zephaniah. This is a prophet who is not appreciated as he should be, for his short book, only three chapters with a total of 53 verses, is a powerful prophecy that both addresses God’s people in the prophet’s time – the Jews who would soon end up in captivity in Babylon, at the same time as he has with God’s faithful remnant in the end times and thereby the end time perspective, as most other prophets have. What we read in Zephaniah is gloomy reading for most of us, because here it appears that many will be lost if they do not turn around in time.
At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish those who are complacent, who are like wine left on its dregs, who think, `The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad. Their wealth will be plundered, their houses demolished. They will build houses but not live in them; they will plant vineyards but not drink the wine. The great day of the LORD is near – near and coming quickly. Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD will be bitter, the shouting of the warrior there. That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers. I will bring distress on the people, and they will walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their entrails like filth. Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath. In the fire of his jealousy the whole world* will be consumed, for he will make a sudden end of all who live in the earth*, [Zephaniah 1:13-18; New International Version 1984 (* Look further down, Zephaniah 2:3)].
Here it is worth paying special attention to an expression that the prophet uses; at that time I will search Jerusalem. At that time is usually used to date an event, not with an exact year, but as a point on the timeline where a number of conditions are met before what is supposed to happen actually happens. If we read on, we see that the prophet says: Listen! The cry on the day of the LORD. When the expression the day of the Lord is used there are two options to choose from. Either it is the seventh day of the week – the Sabbath, or it is the end times, and then in the extended sense that is meant by the expression.
Where are we on the timeline when the day of the Lord comes?
The timeline is an imaginary line in time that extends from creation to Jesus’ return. To find out where on the timeline we are in a given case, we must put this in the context of a known event. Creation is such a well-known event, and we can put our finger on the line saying, here, on this point, we are now. The same is, for example, the flood, the birth of Jesus, the death of Jesus, and the Reformation.
It is also worth noting that the prophet Zephaniah uses the expressions in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice (1:8), in the same day/in that day (1:9; 1:10; 3:11 and 3:16), and at that time (1:12; 3:19 and 3:20 [twice]). There should be no doubt as to which day the expression in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice refers, which is the day that Jesus returns. Since this expression is used before the other two expressions, in the same day/in that day and at that time, these two expressions must be connected with Jesus’ return.
In Genesis 15:18 the expression in the same day is used as follows: In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates. Here the expression in the same day indicates a specific day in history.
In Daniel 12:1 the expression at that time is used in this way: 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. Here the expression at that time does not indicate a specific day but points forward to the end times and the return of Jesus.
What is the Day of the Lord?
The Bible explains the Day of the Lord in two different ways. One way the day of the Lord is described is the judgment day in an extended sense, and the other way the day of the Lord is described as the Sabbath, and then God calls it a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable, (Isaiah 58:13).
Furthermore, the expression Lord’s Day is used 23 times in the Bible. 1 time the expression is used without giving any explanation of which day it is (Revelation 1:10). 1 time the Lord’s (holy) day is connected with the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13. A total of 21 times the Lord’s day is used to refer to the return of Jesus and the end times in an expanded sense, (Isaiah 13:6; 13:9 Ezekiel 13:5; 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:1; 2:11; 3:4; 3:19; Amos 5:18 [2 times]; 5:20; Obadiah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:7; 1:14; Zechariah 14:1 [2 times]; Malachi 4:5; Acts 2:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).
All Bible texts are taken from the King James Version 1611/1769, unless otherwise stated.
The second coming of Jesus, the Day of the Lord.
Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD [is] at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests, (Zephaniah 1:7).
Already the prophet Joel who prophesied between 835 and 805 before Christ said that the Day of the Lord is near (Joel 1:15). The same did Isaiah who lived 700 years before Christ (Isaiah 13:6), and still, we are waiting for the Day of the Lord. Could it be that we’re wrong about this day?
Could it be as most Christians believe, that Jesus’ return will happen in secret? This is a widespread opinion today. Both futurism, which the Jesuit and theologian Francisco Ribera launched, and dispensationalism, which the Jesuit and theologian Robert Bellarmine launched, both assume a secret return and a secret rapture. These two interpretive models, along with preterism, which the Jesuit and theologian Louis d’Alcazar launched, were all launched to stem Luther’s reformation. These three models of interpretation were an important part of the Counter-Reformation. And the sad thing is that almost all Christian churches have adopted dispensationalism.
Could it be that Jesus has already returned?
Let’s see what the Bible says about this topic.
In Matthew 24:27 we read: For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
In the Acts of the Apostles 1:11 we read: Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:16 we read: 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.
In Revelation 1:7 we read: Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.
What do these four verses have in common? It is that Jesus’ return is anything but secret.
1) Matthew says that Jesus’ return will be visible to all living people on the day He returns. Even those who crucified Him will see Him when He comes as the ruler of the universe. We have all seen lightning, and we can see lightning even when we close our eyes. Luke, who wrote the Book of Acts, says that Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus’ ascension, and that angels told them that Jesus’ return will happen in the same way. John says that every eye will see Him.
2) Jesus’ return is an event that all living people will hear, and Paul says that the Lord Jesus Christ will come with a shout, and there will be a sound of His trumpet. This is anything but secret. It will be an event that all living people will see.
Why is it that most who call themselves Christians have not understood what the Bible teaches about this? The answer to this question lies in these three Bible verses that are very enlightening in this regard.
To Isaiah God said the following: And he said, Go, and tell this people, hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not, (Isaiah 6:9). This was said to Israel shortly before they were taken captive by the Assyrians. Notice how God addresses the people. Because of their apostasy, God does not refer to “this people” not as “My people,” as He has referred to His people many times before.
Through Jeremiah, God said to His people: Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not, (Jeremiah 5:21). Now it is Judah that receives the same unflattering description from God. In Judah too, the apostasy had become so deep that God allowed the Babylonians to take them captive.
To Ezekiel God said this: Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house, (Ezekiel 12:2). This was also said to the Jews, because time after time they have been encouraged to turn to the Lord, but they would not.
This is true to an even greater extent in our time. Just look at what the fallen churches have adopted in terms of false teachings, human traditions and philosophy.
But why is it that some have understood what the Bible teaches us?
In our day we put a similarity between Jesus’ Second Coming and the Day of the Lord, but many will still claim that the Day of the Lord was when Jesus was born. But it is not true, because both Paul and Peter writes to the Christian communities respectively 20 years (1 Thessalonians) and 45 years (2 Peter) after Jesus’s death that the day of the Lord will come.
In addition to this, the prophecy in Isaiah 13:6 is a so-called double prophecy, a prophecy that will be fulfilled twice in history. The context of Isaiah 13 tells us that the first fulfillment concerned the city of Babylon. When we deal with double prophecies, they will always stand as a type and antitype, so the second fulfillment must apply to the symbolic city of Babylon in the end, or the fallen church.
As Seventh Days Adventists, we look forward to the second coming of Jesus. We long for that day He will come back and redeem those he calls his own. We believe that this day is the day when the faithful will be rewarded by God, receive the crown of victory, follow Jesus to Heaven, and live forever with our God, Creator and Savior.
However, the second coming of Jesus is explained in many ways in the Bible, and it is not always easy to see the salvation and joy of the Savior’s return. Just see what some of the prophets say in the Old Testament:
Isaiah says Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty, (13:6) … and … Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it, (13:9).
Ezekiel mentions … the battle in the day of the LORD (13:5) and that the day of the Lord … [is] near, a cloudy day … (30:3).
Joel says, Woe for the day! (1:15; American Standard Bible) and that … all the inhabitants of the land tremble (2:1) … and asks … who can abide it? (2:11).
Amos says … Wailing [shall be] in all streets (5:16) … and Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! … (5:18).
All the prophets agree, and all the texts in these verses tell of destruction, and even a woe is pronounced upon those who long for the Lord’s day. It therefore doesn´t seem that the Day of the Lord is a day we will be looking forward to. It looks rather like we should fear this day, yet we Adventists wait for this day, and look forward to it with expectation, hope and joy.
Why is it like this?
The Bible is crystal clear that Jesus will come again one day, and it is not long until this happens. In order to meet this day, we must do something. We must make a choice that will follow us into eternity. Either we turn to God in humility and ask for forgiveness for all the sins we have committed against both God and our neighbour and accept the salvation that God offers us undeservedly and only by God’s grace, or we turn our backs on God and must take the consequences.
If we go to Zephaniah 2:3, we read: Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth*, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.
This is a clear call to prepare ourselves for the coming judgment, whether it concerns the Jews who were soon to be taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, or whether it concerns us in the last days. We know how it went with the Jews, so the question is whether we who have the answer in hand can see what we must do.
* Many translations, such as New International Version 1984, use the land instead of the earth, which takes away the eschatological meaning of the entire book of Zephaniah and is directly destructive to understanding.
The Bible talks about being ready and tells us to prepare for Jesus’ soon return. Many dismiss Jesus’ return and say that this is something that will never happen and point out that Jesus’ disciples also believed that Jesus’ return was imminent. It has already been 2,000 years since Jesus died on the cross and promised to return to gather his faithful followers, who are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, (Revelation 14:12) and those which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ, (Revelation 12:17).
Four times in Revelation, Jesus says that I come quickly (Revelation 3:11; 22:7; 22:12 and 22:20). Revelation was written at the end of the first century, around the year 96, so it is perhaps not surprising that many reject Jesus’ return. If it were only non-believers who claim that there will not be a second coming of Jesus, the matter would be straightforward, but many who say they believe in God say the same thing, and it is a big problem for them.
How can we know that Jesus’ return is imminent?
In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we can see that the time for Jesus’ return is approaching as we go through the text of this book. Chapters 2 and 3 are made up of seven letters to seven churches that make up the history of the church from the time of Jesus to His return. In six of these seven letters, we see from the text that Jesus is approaching, and we will look at these verses in order:
To the church in Ephesus (31 – 155) Jesus says in Revelation 2:5: … Repent and do the first works, or I will come to you (New International Version 1984) … in this lies the fact that Jesus’ return is still some time in the future.
To the church in Smyrna (155 – 313) the time aspect is not mentioned.
To the church in Pergamum (313 – 538) Jesus says in Revelation 2:16 that I will soon come (New International Version 1984), and there is still some time left for Jesus’ return.
To the church in Thyatira (538 – 1517) Jesus says in Revelation 2:25 I come, and we still have to wait a little while for this event to happen.
To the church in Sardis (1517-1798) Jesus says in Revelation 3:3 that I will come upon thee as a thief, and now Jesus’ return is really starting to approach, but the time is and will be unknown.
To the church in Philadelphia (1798 – 1844) Jesus says in Revelation 3:11 that I come quickly, and now there is really little time left.
Finally, to the church in Laodicea – the end-time church (1844 – Jesus’ return) Jesus says in Revelation 3:20 that I stand at the door, and knock, meaning that the Savior can return any day.
The time of preparation is now.
How should we prepare for the tribulation that will come in the last days? What should we do, and what should we not do? Many say we should build up a store of non-perishable food and water so that we will have what we need when the storm comes.
In Early Writings, Ellen G. White says the following: The Lord has shown me repeatedly that it is contrary to the Bible to make any provision for our temporal wants in the time of trouble. I saw that if the saints had food laid up by them or in the field in the time of trouble, when sword, famine, and pestilence are in the land, it would be taken from them by violent hands and strangers would reap their fields. Then will be the time for us to trust wholly in God, and He will sustain us. I saw that our bread and water will be sure at that time, and that we shall not lack or suffer hunger; for God is able to spread a table for us in the wilderness. If necessary, He would send ravens to feed us, as He did to feed Elijah, or rain manna from heaven, as He did for the Israelites, (56.2).
It should therefore be clear that preparing for things involving food and drink is not a recommendation from God.
Furthermore, in the same book she says this: The Lord has shown me the danger of letting our minds be filled with worldly thoughts and cares. I saw that some minds are led away from present truth and a love of the Holy Bible by reading* other exciting books, (58.1).
* In our time, we can also add watching meaningless movies, series on TV and surfing on our mobile phones all day.
How can and how should we prepare ourselves in the right way for the return of Jesus?
This is a complex question, and we must divide the answer into several parts. It is not surprising that humanity is divided into two camps: 1) those who believe in God the Creator and call themselves Christians, and 2) those who do not believe in God. It is also not surprising that among those who call themselves Christians, we must also divide into two groups: 1A) those who belong to God’s remnant in the end times – regardless of which denomination they belong to, and 1B) those who have a rather liberal approach to God’s word and God’s Ten Commandments. Common to all of them is that if they want to be with Jesus in heaven when He returns, they must prepare and get ready for heaven.
God does not force anyone to accept the incredibly precious gift that salvation in Jesus Christ is, and He does not force anyone who calls themselves Christians to follow His words and commandments, and He does not force anyone into heaven if they do not want to. Each person must choose for themselves to accept salvation or not, and each person must choose for themselves to follow God’s word and keep His Ten Commandments or not.
Let’s look at how the different groups must prepare for the return of Jesus, starting with Group 2, then Group 1B, and finally Group 1A.
Group 2.
These are those who do not believe in God. If they have a desire to go to heaven, they must turn to the Lord, ask for forgiveness for all their sins as all Christians have done, and be baptized. After this, they must keep God’s Ten Commandments as they are found in the Bible and follow God’s Word so that they can prepare for the coming event. The reason I use God’s Ten Commandments all the time is because there is another set of ten commandments that is counterfeit, and that is the ten commandments of the Papacy.
There are those who say that since God is love, everyone will eventually be saved and go to heaven, and they link such an argument to 2 Thessalonians 2:13, where Paul says: But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, and it certainly seems that they are right. But if we look at the verse in its entirety, and what the last sentence says, there is a completely different outcome, it says through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. It is therefore necessary to believe in the truth.
But what is truth?
Jesus says in John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
In Psalm 119:142 David says: Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth.
In Psalm 119:160 he says: The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever, (English Standard Version).
As we see, Jesus is the truth, God’s law is the truth, and the sum of God’s word is truth. It is therefore necessary to believe in Jesus, and keep God’s law and God’s word, which contains God’s Ten Commandments. Saying that everyone is saved is a false teaching and has no basis in the Bible. The Bible is very clear that there are two ways out of this life, and if we choose to follow man-made theories and philosophy, it will end in eternal death. If we follow the Bible, however, we will have eternal life.
To you who do not believe in God. Do yourself a favour and seek the Lord. He sees every heart that sincerely seeks Him, and Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8 when he writes: For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation, (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Group 1B.
These are those who have a rather liberal approach to the word of God and the Ten Commandments of God. We see in almost all denominations that the Word of God is being compromised, and the Ten Commandments of God are no longer so important. The latest thing that has been raised as almost an article of faith within the fallen denominations is the climate issue. That something is happening to the climate is a fact that cannot be avoided, but what if this is part of God’s perfect plan? Just look at what the prophet Jeremiah says: Lift up your eyes to the heavens and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment … … (Isaiah 51:6) … // … or what John says in Revelation: And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise, (Revelation 8:12) … // … and: And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire, (Revelation 16:8). As we see, something will happen to the sun in the end times that will cause the problems that have begun, and that we are witnesses to today.
If we look at the preaching that takes place in the fallen churches, there is a wide range in the preaching. Some churches swear by pantheism and say that God is in everything. Others believe that the ecumenical work is the best thing that has happened to Christianity because this work brings all Christians together in one large group. Still others say that man himself can become God, while others are only concerned with getting as many people as possible to come to their churches without setting guidelines for how one should approach God. It’s like just coming, then you can believe what you want, do what you want and think what you want. In these churches we find people who think they are doing God’s will, but is it really God’s will they are doing?
Everything that is preached from the pulpits of all churches, including my own church, must be tested by “to the law and to the testimony,” for as Isaiah 8:20 says: To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them. Which means that those who do not adhere to the law and the testimony will never be saved. The law refers to the five books of Moses, and the testimony of the prophets.
When these who call themselves Christians, and who believe they have done everything according to God’s good will, stand before their judge on the day of judgment, they will be rejected. This is not something I am sucking out of my own chest, for, look at what Jesus Himself says about the matter: Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23).
What this group must do is turn away from the unbiblical dogmas they are teaching, turn to God, and begin to study the Bible on their own without the clergy or their pastors, setting guidelines for how they should interpret and understand the text. Pantheists must understand that not all things are God, but that God is above all. These are two different things. Around the earth we have an atmosphere. Just as God is above all, the atmosphere is above all, but no one would make a claim that everything is atmosphere.
Pantheism is found in mystics, Stoics, in the philosopher Baruch Spinoza, in the Hindu Adavita philosophy, and in Mahayana Buddhism. The mere fact that the aforementioned are pantheists should be a wake-up call for Christians – do not go down that path.
The goal of Christian ecumenism is to gather all churches and denominations under one umbrella, and they use Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John chapter 17 to legitimize this. It is verse 11 that they refer to, and it says: And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we [are]. There is no doubt that we who are Christians should be one, but not on the premises of ecumenism. Under the ecumenical umbrella, they gather around the few points on which they all agree, and then they completely ignore the rest that separates them from each other. This is not what Jesus means in his prayer when he says that they can be one. We Christians should be one – in Christ and become as Jesus’ disciples were on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. In Acts 1:14 it says: These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.… // … and in Acts 2:1 it says: And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
The disciples and the others who were present were in one accord. That is, there was nothing that divided them from one another in terms of what they believed. That is where Christendom must come back to. Nothing else will do, because anything other than unity in Christ will be the opposite, and it doesn’t matter what your religious leaders say, nor does what the Pope say matter if it goes against the word of God.
When the word of God is compromised it is put out of action. It is the same as being lawless in the sense of not caring what the law of God says.
When famous pastors and famous preachers in these megachurches tell their followers that they can become God, they are only repeating the first big lie that was served in the Garden of Eden when the serpent said to Eve: … … Ye shall be as gods … …
This is only a small fraction of what is happening in the fallen church denominations. All the unbiblical doctrines that the papacy has introduced into the church during the Middle Ages, and which are still being introduced there, are being adopted at an ever-increasing pace into what were the Reformed and Protestant church denominations.
What these who call themselves Christians must do is to shake off the yoke of the papacy and get out of what the Bible calls Babylon. God calls you through Revelation 18:4 where He says: … … Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
“Her” in this verse represents all the fallen church denominations. If you are a member of one of these and you hear God’s call, do not hesitate. Come out of Babylon and seek God’s end-time church, the only church that keeps all of God’s ten commandments, and which is characterized as such in the Bible. In Revelation 12:17: … … which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ … // … and in Revelation 14:12: … … they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
If they remain where they are today, they will hear what Jesus says in Matthew 7:23: … … I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Group 1A.
Let me first establish one thing. Who belongs to which group, I am not qualified to say, I know nothing about this. Who belongs to which group only God knows, and I leave it to Him to decide this question. But it is beyond any doubt that there are two groups of people, and that the Christians are also divided into two groups.
We have just finished with the group I call 1B and who are in Babylon. Now we will look at group 1A, and see what preparations are necessary for this group. Although this group belongs to God’s end-time church, not everyone is ready for the great event that is about to come. It is not enough to belong to God’s end-time church, and it is of little use to be a third, fourth, or fifth generation Adventist if one is only a member of «old-fashioned». These have to settle with themselves and return to the Lord, otherwise they will be shaken out when the expected shaking comes.
What the nominal members, those who are old-fashioned members of God’s end-time church, must do is to throw off the bad habits they have acquired. They must follow the call of Jesus as found in the Laodicean message in Revelation 3:14-22, and especially what is written in verses 17 and 18: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.
This is absolutely necessary so that they will not be shaken out when the great shaking comes upon God’s end-time church. To stand, they must be spotless in God’s sight. Then, as the rest of God’s church, they must make the preparations mentioned below.
As for those who belong to God’s faithful remnant in the end times, those who we find described in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12, they have their preparations that they must make. The preparations that these must make for themselves in connection with Jesus’ soon return are that they must … …
… work until Jesus returns. We must go out and seek out those whom the Spirit shows us are receptive to the gospel, and if possible, lead them to Christ (Luke 12:43). This is to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prison, (Matthew 25:31-46). This applies both literally and figuratively. In a figurative sense, this is to lead our fellow human beings to Jesus.
… consider each day as the last day we will have. We do not know if we will see tomorrow, so we must do what we can today, (2 Corinthians 6:2). If we put something off until tomorrow, it may be too late.
… keep the Sabbath conscientiously. We must keep God’s Sabbath, and we must keep it as God wants us to keep it, (Isaiah 58:13). If we keep the Sabbath for the sake of keeping it, it is legalism and an abomination to God, but we are to call the Sabbath a delight and make it a delight to God on His holy day.
… return to the original diet that God gave to man in the Garden of Eden. What we eat will be essential to our health, and we should seek to return to the diet God gave man at creation, (see Genesis 1:29).
… set aside time for fasting and prayer. Prayer and fasting have always been important to God’s faithful remnant, and this will only become more and more important as we get closer to Jesus’ return, because our enemy will try to make us fall. Without prayer and fasting, we will be defeated, but it must be a proper fast, (Isaiah 58:6).
… trust God completely. We must trust completely that God will fulfil to us the promises He has given us through His Word, the Bible, (Psalm 125:1). We must only lay hold of the promises when we remind God of the promises, He has given us when we pray.
… be careful how we associate with the world. We live in the world, but we are not of the world, (John 17:16-17), therefore we must be careful with what we get involved in. Much of what the world has to offer will look harmless, and if we are not attentive, we will quickly be drawn into something we cannot get out of. We must seek out those who live in the world, but not do as they do.
… exalt God and God’s word. We must always carry in our thoughts that we should honor and exalt God and God’s word, (Romans 15:6; 1 John 5:3). This is our best protection against the temptations that will come upon us like a storm wind.
… become one in Christ in thought, word and work. The church in the end times must become like the church on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem in the year 31. The entire church at that time consisted of about 120 people. Everyone was in the same place – physically, all with one accord in prayer and supplication and with one mind, (Acts 1:14; 2:1). On the day God’s end-time church is in the same place, not physically but spiritually and is in harmony as one body, the latter rain will be poured out and God’s faithful remnant will receive all the help they need to stand amidst the storm that will rage around them on all sides.
To you who do not believe in God:
It is still not too late to seek God, do it before it is too late. No one knows tomorrow. Tomorrow may be too late, just look at what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:2 (which I have referred to earlier): “… … BEHOLD, NOW [IS] THE DAY OF SALVATION”. Come to God. You will never regret choosing God, and He will make you an heir in His kingdom. Do not hesitate, do not be afraid. You have nothing to lose by seeking God, but you lose everything if you do not. Seek God today, and give Him your whole heart, and you will be ready to meet the Lord on the day He returns to take His faithful people.
To you who believe, but are a member of old-fashioned, or nominal:
If you are a third, fourth or fifth generation Adventist, but have never had a clear salvation experience, if you have become nominal during your walk, or whatever it is that makes you not ardent for Christ, I encourage you to seek God again with all your heart. You know the way you should go. Are you perhaps afraid of what friends and colleagues will say? Do not be afraid of them but be afraid of what God will say to you on the last day. There are many who think they have everything in order with God, but who still will not enter the kingdom of heaven if they do not repent. Look at what Jesus says in Luke 13:25: Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, Sir, open the door for us. But he will answer, I don’t know you or where you come from, (New International Version 1984).
This was also the question God asked Adam in the Garden of Eden when man had fallen into sin. We read in Genesis 3:9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou? Today God also calls to man and asks the same question: WHERE ART THOU? It is not because God does not know where you are, He knows very well where you are, but He asks you this question because He wants you to be aware of where you are in relation to your God. You must take the full step and turn to Christ. Do it now, do not wait, because then you may miss out on the best thing a person can get, and that is eternal life with God the Creator in a place that is more beautiful than any eye has seen, and where God himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). If you want to be there, then you know what you have to do.
To you who are part of God’s faithful remnant.
Do all the work that God expects you to do. Spend all the time you can in prayer to God, talk to God as you would talk to your spouse or your best coworker or friend. Don’t be afraid to hold God’s word high and lift up God’s Ten Commandments. God will give you strength, and He will protect you from danger. Be a beacon shining brightly in the spiritual darkness that is enveloping this planet more and more every day. Let the people you meet each day see that you are a child of the living God.