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Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! We are living in dark trying times for Gods genuine people. We need that Gods illumes our pathway. The light that shines in a dark place to illuminate our pathway. In our last study, we looked at the personal dark spot, which is our human heart where God brings Jesus into close inward proximity so that the dark place in our heart, the light of Jesus shines in our heart. Today we want to examine the dark place in the church militant. This may sound strange, in Gods church is there a dark place in the church militant? How does our scripture that we have been quoting relate to the church militant? 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Prophecy that deals with the church militant. A suggestion that the church militant could have a dark place? That prophecy can illuminate? We are considering through this series the detail of prophecy referring to the final church, the church in the last days, the church militant in the transition as it enters into the church triumphant. This detail is our purpose to appreciate. The transition prophecies of the church militant in transition to the church triumphant. Let everyone who is seeking to live a Christian life, remember that the church militant is not the church triumphant. Those who are carnally minded will be found in the church. FE 294 Is that a dark place in the church militant? In the church militant there can be found a dark place, a dark chapter just like it was in the church that Jesus chose when he chose his 12 disciples. There was a dark chapter there. Clearly then in the church militant, we must remember there are dark places. What is written in the prophecy so that the day star can illuminate this spot? This dark carnality in the church militant? It is my purpose in this study to explore Zephaniah 3 as the prophecy to enlighten our minds in regards to the church militant and the dark spot in the church. What time frame can we see that these words apply to? Zephaniah 3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Here in the midst of Zephaniah 3 is an identification prophecy that Zephaniah is talking of. It is the time of Gods indignation which is included in this prophecy. Lets read some other scriptures that speak of that period. Jeremiah 25:15 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me; Take the wine cup of this fury at my hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it. 25:16 And they shall drink, and be moved, and be mad, because of the sword that I will send among them. 25:17 Then took I the cup at the LORD'S hand, and made all the nations to drink, unto whom the LORD had sent me: He then goes into the detail of all the nations that exist at the time of Gods outpouring of his wrath. Jeremiah 25:29 For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts. Who does he start with? Jerusalem. Jeremiah 25:30 Therefore prophesy thou against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout, as they that tread [the grapes], against all the inhabitants of the earth. 25:31 A noise shall come [even] to the ends of the earth; for the LORD hath a controversy with the nations, he will plead with all flesh; he will give them [that are] wicked to the sword, saith the LORD. 25:32 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind shall be raised up from the coasts of the earth. 25:33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground. 25:34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel. 25:35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape. 25:36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and an howling of the principal of the flock, [shall be heard]: for the LORD hath spoiled their pasture. 25:37 And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD. 25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger. Anyone who has studied into the depths of the prophecies of the last days knows its talking here about the vials of Gods wrath that are going to be poured out. “the Lord shall roar from on high… he shall mightily roar from his habitation…” Revelation 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his viol into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. This is the seventh viol where the voice from heaven comes, Gods voice roaring from his temple. Revelation 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 15:8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled. The temple in heaven is opened and out of the temple comes this voice from the throne. The fury of God and who else comes out of the temple? Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 19:12 His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 19:13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 19:14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Can you see how all these texts are saying the same thing? The temple is opened, the son of God with the angels coming to orchestrate the destruction of the nations during the plagues. This is what Zepheniah 3:8 includes. The period of Zepheniah 3 is inclusive of this. It’s a prophecy that deals with the period just before and during the plagues. What happens just prior to the plagues? Before the plagues strike, what happens according to prophecy? Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Here are the angels holding the four winds. We read in Jeremiah that there would be a whirlwind from the four corners that would be destroy. The four corners are being held from the wind blowing until what? Until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. Here is the detail of the picture of the period that takes place and during the plagues. This is the prophecy, this is the light, and this tells us what happens in our day since 1844 when the sealing of the 144,000 started. Ezekiel 9:1 He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man [with] his destroying weapon in his hand. 9:2 And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them [was] clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar. 9:3 And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which [had] the writer's inkhorn by his side; 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 9:6 Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house. Here is a direct description of what we read in Revelation 7. The sealing work of the angel. This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision{TM 445.2} We are looking at the details of the period of which Zepheniah 3 is talking about. What does it say? Those that sigh and cry for the sins that are done in Israel. If we apply it to these last days, where are the 144,000 chosen from? Out of the 12 tribes. Modern Israel is the church as Israel of old was. If we continue in the description here… John also had been a witness of this most startling revelation. He saw the sea and the waves roaring, and men's hearts failing them for fear. He beheld the earth moved, and the mountains carried into the midst of the sea (which is literally taking place), the water thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He was shown plagues, pestilence, famine, and death performing their terrible mission. TM 445 The same angel who visited Sodom is sounding the note of warning, "Escape for thy life." The bottles of God's wrath cannot be poured out to destroy the wicked and their works until all the people of God have been judged, and the cases of the living as well as the dead are decided. And even after the saints are sealed with the seal of the living God, His elect will have trials individually. Personal afflictions will come; but the furnace is closely watched by an eye that will not suffer the gold to be consumed. The indelible mark of God is upon them. God can plead that His own name is written there. The Lord has shut them in. Their destination is inscribed--"God, New Jerusalem." They are God's property, His possession. {TM 446.1} God has shown me that at the very time that the signs of the times are being fulfilled around us, when we hear, as it were, the tread of the hosts of heaven fulfilling their mission, men of intelligence, men in responsible positions, will be putting rotten timbers in their character building--material which is consumable in the day of God, and which will decide them to be unfit to enter the mansions above. They have refused to let go the filthy garments; they have clung to them as if they were of precious value. They will lose heaven and an eternity of bliss on account of them. {TM 446.3} The dark place in the church? Let’s examine some more detail before the plagues commence. The experience of the church, the people who sigh and cry for the sins that are done in the church. Men, intelligent in responsible positions putting rotten timbers in their character building. The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. {5T 209.3} They are members of Gods church and they are crying for what the members are doing after the manner of the world. Is that a dark spot in the church militant that we need enlightenment on? These sighing, crying ones had been holding forth the words of life; they had reproved, counseled, and entreated. Some who had been dishonoring God repented and humbled their hearts before Him. But the glory of the Lord had departed from Israel; although many still continued the forms of religion, His power and presence were lacking. {5T 210.2} Here is prophetic detail of the last days. In the time when His wrath shall go forth in judgments, these humble, devoted followers of Christ will be distinguished from the rest of the world by their soul anguish, which is expressed in lamentation and weeping, reproofs and warnings. While others try to throw a cloak over the existing evil, and excuse the great wickedness everywhere prevalent, those who have a zeal for God's honor and a love for souls will not hold their peace to obtain favor of any. 5T 210 To obtain the favour of any? Who do you want to please? Their righteous souls are vexed day by day with the unholy works and conversation of the unrighteous. They are powerless to stop the rushing torrent of iniquity, and hence they are filled with grief and alarm. They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church. The Spirit of God, which prompts to reproof, is trampled underfoot, while the servants of Satan triumph. God is dishonored, the truth made of none effect. {5T 210.3} Do you know what that feels like? I know it. The class who do not feel grieved over their own spiritual declension, nor mourn over the sins of others, will be left without the seal of God. The Lord commissions His messengers, the men with slaughtering weapons in their hands: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house." {5T 211.1} Here we see that the church--the Lord's sanctuary--was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. {5T 211.2} You don’t want to proclaim loudly that this is Gods church do you? This is what happens in Gods church. I ask the question, Gods church? Gods own church? Full of this detail? Oh we want to place that on the SDA church but we don’t believe they are Gods church, so who does it apply to? Gods church. Gods church militant. Remember, Gods church militant is not the church triumphant, there are carnal people in it. Even the ancient men. The ministers. It’s very fascinating to see how Zephaniah describes exactly this. Zephaniah 3:1 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! What does she do? She oppresses. Zephaniah 3:2 She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. 3:3 Her princes within her [are] roaring lions; her judges [are] evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow. Its alright, we can deal with that tomorrow, we can gnaw them. Zephaniah 3:4 Her prophets [are] light [and] treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. 3:5 The just LORD [is] in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame. 3:6 I have cut off the nations: their towers are desolate; I made their streets waste, that none passeth by: their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, that there is none inhabitant. 3:7 I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, [and] corrupted all their doings. 3:8 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination [is] to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, [even] all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. Here it is, the church militant. Her princes are roaring lions. Her judges are evening wolves. Her priests have polluted the sanctuary. As we read this, God says wait, be patient because I will deal with it. What did we read? Commence at my sanctuary. Let us look at the detail of 1-5. Is this true? Is this applicable to Gods church militant? That her princes are roaring lions? Her judges are evening wolves? They are an oppressing city? The prophet’s light, treacherous persons… remember Gods law is very broad. Psalms 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: [but] thy commandment [is] exceeding broad. We touched on one of the laws, the pride that people in positions of leadership can be patrons over their brethren that Sr White says is not according to the law. Many more details. Gods church with those kinds of people in it? No, we don’t want to hear that. We don’t to admit that. Then we are judging. No. All we have to do is take Gods word that’s all. We don’t have to judge any man, Gods word judges. Has God no living church? He has a church, but it is the church militant, not the church triumphant. We are sorry that there are defective members, that there are tares amid the wheat." {TM 45.1} The church of Christ on earth will be imperfect, but God does not destroy His church because of its imperfection. There have been and will be those who are filled with zeal not according to knowledge, who would purify the church, and uproot the tares from the midst of the wheat. But Christ has given special light as to how to deal with those who are erring, and with those who are unconverted in the church. …. Tares will appear among the wheat; but it would do more harm to weed out the tares, unless in God's appointed way, than to leave them alone. While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God. {TM 46.1} What’s happening in the church? Light and darkness within the church. One pushing against the other, within the church. This is what is written. Some people seem to think that upon entering the church they will have their expectations fulfilled, and meet only with those who are pure and perfect. They are zealous in their faith, and when they see faults in church members, they say, "We left the world in order to have no association with evil characters, but the evil is here also;" and they ask, as did the servants in the parable, "From whence then hath it tares?" But we need not be thus disappointed, for the Lord has not warranted us in coming to the conclusion that the church is perfect; and all our zeal will not be successful in making the church militant as pure as the church triumphant. The Lord forbids us to proceed in any violent way against those whom we think erring, and we are not to deal out excommunications and denunciations to those who are faulty. {TM 47.1} The church militant with its evils amongst it in transition at the last moments as its about to come the church triumphant. Through long ages God has borne the anguish of beholding the work of evil, He has given the infinite Gift of Calvary, rather than leave any to be deceived by the misrepresentations of the wicked one; for the tares could not be plucked up without danger of uprooting the precious grain. And shall we not be as forbearing toward our fellow men as the Lord of heaven and earth is toward Satan? {COL 72.2} The world has no right to doubt the truth of Christianity because there are unworthy members in the church, nor should Christians become disheartened because of these false brethren. COL 72 Do you sometimes get disheartened when you see false brethren in the church with their dealings? How was it with the early church? Ananias and Sapphira joined themselves to the disciples. Simon Magus was baptized. Demas, who forsook Paul, had been counted a believer. Judas Iscariot was numbered with the apostles. The Redeemer does not want to lose one soul; His experience with Judas is recorded to show His long patience with perverse human nature; and He bids us bear with it as He has borne. He has said that false brethren will be found in the church till the close of time. {COL 72.3} Till the close of the time of probation when the wrath of God will be poured out. Then we will go into detail in later stages, how that transition will take place at the end of time. How close to the end of time do you believe we are? Already while the angel was sealing them in their foreheads, the others were following. Haven’t we seen the events from the 1st and 2nd world war through to now, the thousands and millions of people that have been slaughtered? Where do we think we stand? Till the end of time there will be false members in the church. We are here aren’t we? What did we read in Zephaniah? These false brethren? That were here identified. These leaders in the church themselves, what are they? They are oppressing. Her priests have polluted the sanctuary. What did we read next? “The just Lord is in the midst thereof”. Is that light in a dark place? Notice how it reads; “He will not do iniquity, every morning doth he bring judgement to light. He faileth not.” He is the light in the dark place. The just Lord is in the church militant. This is his church. No matter what goes on. The just Lord is in the midst thereof. Let the light shine in this dark experience. Jesus is there, the day star arises in our hearts. What does he do? He brings judgement to light. He faileth not. Judgement in the midst of corruption. Judgement to light that in the midst of this darkness in Gods own church, the company in the light will be illuminated in the judgement that he brings to light in the church militant. Do not despair, the daystar arises in the dark, just before the break of day. When the plagues fall, isn’t that the breaking of the day? We must take courage by understanding the light in the dark place of the church militant. Let us not dwell on the dark chapters in the experience of Seventh-day Adventists. They bring up a discouraging, depressing picture, and it would seem as if Christ, the Light of the world, had not been near to help. There was no need of the dearth of knowledge, no reason why mistakes should have been made. Christ was then, as He ever will be, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He was ready to help, and no one need have made grave mistakes or errors. {7MR 383.1} The time to which you have referred--a time dark, perplexing, and discouraging--let it stay in the past. Do not talk of it unless forced to. To make reference to the worst features in the experience of those now in positions of trust in the work of God, does not benefit anyone. Let us not call up the dark shadows of the past. Let the past lie where it is, with all its objectionable features. Into the present we are to bring pleasantness, hope, and courage. {7MR 383.2} If there are those who are allowing the enemy to obtain an advantage over them, tempting him to tempt them, and carrying out his plans, let not this appear. And do not bring up the dark, unchristlike deeds of the past. The dear Saviour was all the time inviting those who did these deeds to cease to dishonor God, and to turn to Him for help to do right. {7MR 383.3} At the present time we have plain evidence of the specious, artful working of Satan on human minds. We have to meet this working with determined effort. But let the dark pictures of the past be buried, and let them stay buried. Let us not cloud the mind of anyone by bringing up these representations. Let us at this time bring in all the light possible. {7MR 383.4} Brethren I’m using this opportunity that yes we have been bombarded and we have experienced negativity’s, but lets no longer talk about them. Let them be buried. This is what we are instructed to do. Let us focus on Jesus whom the church of his time crucified. They know they are going to do this to his followers again. Lets concentrate on Jesus on him who is in the midst thereof who every morning brings judgement to light. What is his judgement over his expectant prospective triumphant children? Zephaniah 3:11 In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain. We must not be proud because we are in Gods church. Do what I say as I have a high position in Gods church. There is no room for that in Gods church. Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid. 3:14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, [even] the LORD, [is] in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more. 3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: [and to] Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. 3:18 I will gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, [who] are of thee, [to whom] the reproach of it [was] a burden. 3:19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. 3:20 At that time will I bring you [again], even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD. There are kindred scriptures of verse 18, I will gather them that are sorrowful. I will gather my jewels; Malachi 3:14 Ye have said, It [is] vain to serve God: and what profit [is it] that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? 3:15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered. 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. He is in the midst thereof. In me, you will have peace because I am in the midst of the church militant. Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD. 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make [them] afraid. Micah 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. Who are the children that God will reign over? Those who have halted. Those who have become the remnant, who have been cast out by the church militant. Joel 2:30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. 2:32 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. The company in the light that is always within the church militant will finally be isolated. That is the remnant of her seed. That is the over comer. That is the church triumphant. Persevere through the darkness. Let God do his work in his church militant with us. In his church militant, if we stand faithful and true, he will bring forth his true people. Don’t become so overpowered by the darkness of the evil within the church that you cease. Don’t turn back or turn away from that God is giving us within his church militant, then we will go back to perdition. Zechariah 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It [is] my people: and they shall say, The LORD [is] my God. Indeed if we will remain faithful in Gods church militant, what will happen? The work is soon to close. The members of the church militant who have proved faithful will become the church triumphant.-- Letter 32, 1892. {Ev 707.1} Think on these words. The church militant is where we are. If we remain faithful, we will become the church triumphant. What does it mean to be faithful? The life of Christ was a life charged with a divine message of the love of God, and He longed intensely to impart this love to others in rich measure. Compassion beamed from His countenance, and His conduct was characterized by grace, humility, truth, and love. Every member of His church militant must manifest the same qualities, if He would join the church triumphant. The love of Christ is so broad, so full of glory, that in comparison to it, everything that men esteem as great, dwindles into insignificance. When we obtain a view of it, we exclaim, O the depth of the riches of the love that God bestowed upon men in the gift of His only-begotten Son! {FE 179.3} We will continue to explore these details so that we can appreciate the light that shines in the dark place of this present age of Gods church militant and of the darkness of the world around us so we can make intelligent decisions. Not be pushed from one pillar to the other. Not from one belief of thought to the other. So that the light can be illuminated. So we can walk intelligently in the darkness. Intelligently in the prophecies. May this be our decision to persevere to the end so we can be those who will comprise the church triumphant. Amen.
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