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BUY IT TODAY! A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection
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by Dionne Sabbay Thompson September 19, 2008 Revised
October 22nd 2010, represented the 166th Anniversary for Christ, our Messiah's, movement into the Heavenly Sanctuary's Most Holy apartment from the Holy Place. The Messiah,our Great High Priest, remained in the Heavenly Sanctuary's Holy Place following His coronation (symbolized on Earth as the Day of Pentecost) precisely seven Sabbaths or 50 days after His resurrection from present Earth in AD 31 (Psalms 110:4; Daniel 8:14, Acts 2:1-5; Hebrews 6:20, 8:3-4, Revelations 1:11-13,20;14:7, Great Controversy pages 352-353). The Day of Pentecost, the Former Rain, Christ’s Coronation symbol, occurred fifty days following the Messiah’s resurrection: Leviticus 23:15-17; Psalms 110:4, 133:2; Acts 1:3-4, 2:1-5; Hebrews 6:20, 8:3-4). “In the heavenly courts, Christ, with the angels who had accompanied him to heaven, had been received”. “All the heavenly intelligences joined in this coronation service of their Lord”. “The pentecostal outpouring upon the disciples was heaven’s communication to them that his inauguration was complete” (Review and Herald April 30, 1908 paragraph 6) [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 13]. "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12). Thus, to date, God's work has been delayed for approximately one hundred and sixty-six years counted from the exact date of October 22, 1844. The first Angel's message delivered in 1831 by William Miller, a messenger of God, acknowledged the message of the 2300 day prophecy, although he mistook the Sanctuary in Heaven for that on Earth (Daniel 8:14, Early Writings pages 232-237, Great Controversy pages 352-353). Miller emphasized the need for mankind to "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters" (See also Revelation 10, 14:7) [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 5].
God and His protective hand watched over Israel , intending to prevent them from going into Babylonian captivity. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God was warning Israel about their consequence of disobedience, potential enslavement. God never intended for Israel to have a king, however, Israel 's very first King Saul would not obey the prophet of the Lord, Samuel. King Saul, King David, King Solomon and King Rehoboam were all disobedient. The consequence of not abiding in God's ways is that by the third or fourth generation, God's judgment will visit the seed of those which continue in disobedience (Exodus 20:5). By the fourth king, Israel was judged and the monarchy was split into two, never to be reunified again. Israel wanted a king and monarchy even with God's forewarning of its consequence. Similarly, within Adventism the 1859 onset of a Laodicean condition was as a result of disobedience and the rejection of the gospel since the Fall of 1844, the Great Disappointment (Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 page 186) [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 42].
Those who followed on after the Great Disappointment, followed Christ by Faith into the Most Holy place, spiritually (Revelation 3:7, 8). The earnest and sincere believers came out of the great Disappointment, only a handful in number. God brought back His Word and Power in 1888 with the teachings of Righteousness by Faith by Elders Jones and Waggoner (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pages 91-92), yet Adventism has failed to receive it.
"Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me" (Exodus 20:5). The Prophet EGW taught us that following the fulfillment of the 2300 day Prophecy we would not be under a time prophecy, however, the above quote regarding God's visitation upon generations is a commandment, a legal and binding constitutional Heavenly and Earthly ordinance (Exodus 20:5, 34:7). We are thus bound to God's Character and Commandments as His remnant forever (Psalms 111:7-10).
As per Hebrews 3:7-17, in this instance, a generation is equal to forty years.
1st Generation (1844-1884)
2nd Generation (1884-1924)
3rd Generation (1924-1964)
4th Generation (1964-2004)
To further support the 40 Year Generation scripture of Hebrews 3:7-11, I provide a second witness in Numbers 14:33-35 which reveals knowledge of a breach or break in the covenant of God, as Ancient Israel was described here as having issues relating to receiving the land of milk and Honey and the Apostle Paul references this scripture: and, it corresponds with Hebrews 3:19 where it is mentioned that Ancient Israel could not enter into the "promise land" because of unbelief. Here, as you can see, a generation equates to 40 years. Our bible states "in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Deuteronomy 17:6, Matthew 18:16).
Although since 1844, we have not been under time prophecy, we must still understand that we are now in a new cycle of God's generation, as the Seventh-day Adventist Organization has now been knowledgeable of this Great light since at least 1888, paralleling the 120 years prior to Noah's flood (to be considered). God acknowledged through His prophet EGW that the Righteousness By Faith Message was sent to heal the SDA church of its Laodicean Condition in 1888 four years into the 2nd Generation (Testimonies to Ministers page 91, 92, Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 page 186). We must understand the seriousness of our current times.
We are now at the seventh church, the Laodicean Church, (Revelation 3:14,15). The Great Controversy will be completed on this earth, as the battlefield is the earth, fought and won by Christ, triumphantly (John 19:30, Colossians 2:15). Within Revelations 12 we see the battle extending toward the ending of time on present Earth. The church of Ephesus, the first of seven, began on Earth in approximately 27 AD following the Messiah’s baptism. "With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian church. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, found his brother, and called him to the Saviour. Philip was then called, and he went in search of Nathanael (Ephesians 2:20-21, Desire of Ages page 141 paragraph 2)" [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 75]. The war began in Heaven, causing Satan and his demons to be cast out (Revelation 12:4). Satan succeeding in deceiving Adam, took control of the earth (Romans 5:12,18; 2Corinthians 4:4).
Although since 1844, we have not been under time prophecy, we must still understand that we are now in a new cycle of God's generation, as the Seventh-day Adventist Organization has now been knowledgeable of this Great light since at least 1888, paralleling the 120 years prior to Noah's flood (to be considered). God acknowledged through His prophet EGW that the Righteousness By Faith Message was sent to heal the SDA church of its Laodicean Condition in 1888 four years into the 2nd Generation (Testimonies to Ministers page 91, 92, Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 page 186). We must understand the seriousness of our current times.
We are now at the seventh church, the Laodicean Church, (Revelation 3:14,15). The Great Controversy will be completed on this earth, as the battlefield is the earth, fought and won by Christ, triumphantly (John 19:30, Colossians 2:15). Within Revelations 12 we see the battle extending toward the ending of time on present Earth. The church of Ephesus, the first of seven, began on Earth in approximately 27 AD following the Messiah’s baptism. "With the calling of John and Andrew and Simon, of Philip and Nathanael, began the foundation of the Christian church. John directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these, Andrew, found his brother, and called him to the Saviour. Philip was then called, and he went in search of Nathanael (Ephesians 2:20-21, Desire of Ages page 141 paragraph 2)" [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 75]. The war began in Heaven, causing Satan and his demons to be cast out (Revelation 12:4). Satan succeeding in deceiving Adam, took control of the earth (Romans 5:12,18; 2Corinthians 4:4).
Revelations 12:6 edifies that after the ascension of Christ, the Messiah, Satan was able to focus his attention on the “woman” the “church”, determined to prevent the Lord from achieving His purpose through His Church (Ephesians 4:12,13). Remembering that the body of Christ must follow the Head, as we are made in the image of God, and our body is the vehicle of fulfilling God’s wishes and desires (Genesis 1:27, 1Corinthians 6:19). Christ, the Head of the Church, has achieved His purpose, but the Body of Christ must follow suit (John 19:30). "The time period of 1260 is mentioned seven times in the bible and seven is the number of completion, emphasizing the completeness of the scriptures in prophecy, highlighting the delay of God’s work and its closure (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Revelation 11:2,3; 12:6,14; 13:5)" [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 86].
The work, a responsibility of God’s people, emphasizes the importance of the Gospel preaching Truth, requiring the full cooperation of His last day brotherly, loving, Church, Philadelphia, (Ephesians 4:12,13; Revelation 3:7-13). True Adventism is the Church of Philadelphia, repentant in nature, preparing for their redemption and translation from present Earth. Thus we must appreciate the calling of God, as we are called to experience, live and be in full submission to the Will of God unto sealing, bringing this great Controversy to an end, hastening the return of the Messiah crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Ephesians 4:30, 2Peter 3:12, Revelation 19:11-16). Without the remnant’s cooperation, God can not finish this work. We must thus respond to God’s calling, appreciating and completing this final chore.
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12). The people of God must understand the seriousness of the times. We must evacuate spiritually from Babylon, following God with no compromise (Revelation 18:1-4). Christians, God's remnant, must reform their ways, the Elijah Message, teaching the world about the need to abstain from worldly, earthly appetites and lusts: unhealthful diets, gambling, smoking, drinking alcohol, dangerous meat eating, caffeine consumption, pornography, television addiction, romance novels, diabolical video games, cursing, worldly adornment, attending bars and worldly concerts, just to mention a few (1John 2:15) [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 89].
Christ understood that everything in His life was subordinate to the Will of His Father while on earth. Similarly we must exercise this same teaching, remaining subordinate to the Will of God, modeled by the Messiah. The Work will not be finished until Christ finds a body of believers, 144,000 in number with His name in their foreheads (Revelation 14:1), accepting the above principle as the one governing principle in their lives. The former rain, the Day of Pentecost, and was not fully received because God’s work had been put on the “back burner”: and many false Protestants have taught a defiled, polluted, doctrine of Grace, teaching that the Messiah will compensate for their lack of righteousness by Faith, perfect Character and Victory over sin; "the wine of the wrath of her fornication" (Matthew 5:48, Acts 2:1-8, Hebrews 4:16, James 2:26, 1John 3:9, Revelation 14:8, 17:2, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers page 506-507). Materialism, selfishness and earthly, worldly possessions have been placed before the Work of God, thus the Work remains unfinished. Conversely, Christ while experiencing great hunger, chose to put God’s work before even His appetite (Matthew 4:1-4). God’s Work must be accomplished.
Revelation 12:1 edifies that a woman is the church, as the the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:2 and Ephesians 5:21-33, speaks of the marriage unit (Christ, the Head; and the church,the body of Christ) being a model of a perfect union. As the body of Christ, a perfect marriage is a perfect union with Christ (Ephesians 4:12,13). The marriage is one union: this teaching model is the prototype that we must understand regarding the symbiotic relationship between the body of Christ and the Messiah, God.
We must maintain a firm commitment, living by every Inspired Word delivered from God, perfectly aligning with His Law and Testimony (Psalms 109:105, Isaiah 8:20, John 8:51, 6:63). Christ utilizing the Word “It is Written” was able to overcome sin completely. Satan could not overcome Christ because the Lamb of God was ruled by God’s rod of iron (Revelation 12:5, 19:15). WE MUST BE IMMOVABLE IN A SEALING RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, STANDING IN THE HOUR OF TEST AND TRIAL. We must live our lives on the Earth in alliance with the Word of God. Christ was crucified yet His resurrection was sure because sin had no dominion over Him, thus He was caught up to the Throne of God (2Corinthians 12:2). Revelations 3:21 edifies that he that overcometh will be reserved a seat at the Father’s Throne, earning privileges above angels. Christ was caught up to the Throne of the Father because He overcame sin. God can not compromise His Word, otherwise He compromises His government and the entire universe (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1:17) [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 79].
Christ's righteousness is our only way to eternal life (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 3:9-11). EGW writes, "Have you no sacrifice to make for God? Your record is daily passing up to God. Great dangers lie hidden in your pathway. If I could, I would take you in my arms and bear you safely over them; but this I am not permitted to do. You are in the most critical period of your life history. If you arouse the energies of the soul and direct them to securing things of eternal interest, and if you make everything subordinate to this, you will make a success of perfecting Christian character. You may all engage in the spiritual warfare against besetting sins, and you may, through Christ, come off victors. But it will be no child's play. It will be a stern warfare, involving self-denial and cross-bearing. The danger is that you will not fully realize your backslidings and your perilous condition. Unless you view life as it is, cast aside the brilliant fancies of imagination, and come down to the sober lessons of experience, you will awake when it is too late. You will then realize the terrible mistake you have made" (Testimonies For The Church Volume 3 page 43). Honoring the Work of Christ, the Head of the Church, the body of Christ faithfully must be crucified with Him, choosing His indwelling Divine Spirit, permitting justification by faith (Galatians 2:20).
Accepting the message of Righteousness by Faith, God's remnant must focus on strengthening the true church of Christ, those that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ, adhering to the law and the testimony. The focus on the light of Truth, a nonnegotiable objective, will be kept solely by true Christians, obedient and faithful; God's peculiar people (Isaiah 8:20, Titus 2:14, 1Peter 2:9, Revelation 14:12). An uncompromising, unchangeable, immutable faith in the Messiah, our Redeemer, is thus required. God wants his chosen to daily grow in sanctification, developing in the Character of God. Finding love and reassurance in the Messiah by grace through faith, God's remnant can become firmly rooted in Truth; receptive of the Seal of God (John 15:1-7, Ephesians 2:8, Ephesians 4:30). With guileless mouths and unblemished garments, those chosen, successfully withstanding the trials and tribulations without the aid of an intercessor, will be rewarded as God's precious gems, 144,000 in number (Revelation 7:1-4).
We are truly living in the end times and as the potential 144,000 in number, we will need to be spiritually equip to withstand trials and tribulation without Christ's mediation (Daniel 12:1-2, Revelation 6:17, Revelation 7:1-4). The Mark of the Beast,enforced Sunday Pagan Sacredness, having "no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image" [Romanism & False Protestantism] (Revelation 13:11-18, Revelation 14:9-11), will cause a loss of purchasing power for God's chosen. However, the Creator will provide resources for His own "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna..." like coriander seed, honey wafers (Exodus 16:31, John 6:58, Revelation 2:17). "Those teaching that the Ten Commandments are to be erased are in error and will be held accountable for such actions, as Christ’s Ten Commandments, a legal and binding heavenly governing ordinance, will be a last day constitutional mandate, maintained by God’s chosen (Exodus 20, Revelation 14:12). Spiritual Babylonians will be a tool used by Satan, persecuting the remnant of Christ’s seed (Revelation 12:17). Be encouraged, as persecution will purify the faithful body of Christ, reserving their seat at the throne of God (Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:1-3, Titus 2:11-15, Revelation 3:21)" [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 91].