Hopefully this space will be used as a message board of sorts for those interested in discussing the events leading up to the second coming of Jesus Christ
Just found this site today. Am so happy for assistance in our study to " get ready, get ready, get ready". There are so many facets to this subject! As I understand it, we are to make provision for the "little" time of trouble without making a "time of trouble" for ourselves before necessary. I understand this to mean (1) secure homes for ourselves in the country or very small towns as the LORD opens the way, (2) Learn to grow and preserve our own food, (3) study natural healing to be able to minister to other's needs when the time comes, (4)study the Bible, of course, and maintain a close relationship with the LORD, allowing him to develop our faith.
Any other thoughts on what EGW meant when she warns about being unprepared?
Your provision list echoes what I have read but must harmonize with Danny's Time of Trouble list. I would place Bible study, prayer and fasting before other provisions, as only this can shield us from deception. Jesus said 'Ye must be born again'. This is the entry card to heaven. Paul said 'I die daily'. In the Day of Atonement God's people will be afflicting their souls...Are all sins confessed and forsaken?... Have I done all to meet Jesus in peace?... To stand in the presence of a Holy God without a mediator? Country living has its place, but will only amount to works if I am not living by faith and subject to my head, Jesus Christ. Paul said 'whatsoever is not of faith is sin', self-righteousness.Paul said 'Let all things be done decently and in order.' All else is rebellion.
"Until this time all heaven was in order, harmony and perfect subjection to the government of God. It was the highest sin to rebel against the order and will of God." Spiritual Gifts Vol.I p. 17
The seeds of rebellion were within him, with whom sin originated. Satan and his affected ones rebelled against the authority of the Son of God. Satan wished to conquer the Son of God and was striving to reform the government of God. Although he had been an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus Christ, when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan was jealous of Christ and filled with envy, jealousy and hatred. He wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honours. Today many still rebel against the government of God by denying the authority of the Son, questioning the Father's unsearchable wisdom in exalting Jesus, and endowing him with such unlimited power and command. Seldom considered is the the divine order set forth by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1-3. To restore this order in His people was Christ's prayer 'And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.'
God is seeking to restore His order in His people. This cannot be done while they are ignorant of the old paths and the good way. The Bible pattern, the Truth as it is in Jesus. Hosea says 'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.' Paul says 'faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' Paul says 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus'. His name is called the Word of God - Revelation 19:13. ' And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.' Mark 1:35. All else is unprepared.
Better said than i've seen just about anywhere Gordon.
It is important to get out of the cities which are ripening for destruction. We should constantly have all our possessions, including our houses, on the sacrifice table and be asking God what and when to do with them. The time will come when they will be of no value. We should definitely not be storing up food tho, or being anxious for the things coming to pass. We are victors thru Jesus Christ, and if we keep focused on him, our bread and water will be assured until our mortal bodies are changed into incorruptible ones
When I lived in a town called Sunland within the county of Los Angels I believed for many years that my dream of living in the country would never come true and I accept that. That I would have to learn to live and accept that I would go through the time of trouble in the city.
But the Lord had other plans.
Living in the desert with the mountains surrounding me has blessed me in many ways. There can be problems, but for the most part I am content in my life here, but as said above we must even put that on the table of the Lord and it all could be gone tomorrow.
I learned this just resently when finances and other issues made it that I had to move out of the mobile that I was living into this 40 foot 5th wheel trailer. I gave the other people at a cut price a lot of my furniture because they needed it and I did not.
Interesting I can go by the place and have no loss. It is good to be content in all things.
I need an explanatioin for this one line in Gordon's post:
The seeds of rebellion were within him, with whom sin originated. Satan and his affected ones rebelled against the authority of the Son of God.
To believe that the "seeds of rebellion" existed in Satan before he sinned, is to make an excuse for sin -- or a reason for sin. My understanding is that there is NO reason for sin....
"Seeds of rebellion" is referring to the fact that Satan is the originator of all sin. He is definitely a plant that has gone bad, as his fruit is bad. All who do not produce good fruit will be cast into the fire.
