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The world today is in an incredible state of change.
Traditional views and values have been altered and just about reversed
within a relatively short period of time.
Today gay marriage is almost universally accepted and made legal
Under the numbing influence of television, movies
and mobile devices, people minds are being manipulated, controlled.
And most of the millions of people who are
influenced are oblivious to the power behind the scenes
which is being used to mould their minds.
How are you as a modern Seventh-day Adventist Christian being influenced by what's happening
around you?
My name is Brent Whinfield, and I'm a Seventh day Adventist Christian, and this...is the
Advent Message.
This presentation is based on a work by Joe Crews.
There is no question whatsoever that Satan is pulling
the strings and directing the subtle forces which are
designed to destroy us both physically and spiritually.
Under the hypnotising influence of these forces,
Christian minds have been just as successfully brain
washed as unbelievers.
Our only safety is to recognise the clever camouflages of the enemy.
A thousand disguised death traps have been planted all
around us.
Almost imperceptibly our thinking has been affected by what we see
and hear.
Spiritual convictions have softened and disappeared altogether.
The fine sensitivity to sin has been blunted by
incessant exposure to the seemingly innocent recreational activities
of our society.
In the Scriptures these assault weapons of Satan are referred to simply as "the world."
And no one can say that we have not been warned against their devastating effect.
Paul, James, and John wrote in the New Testament with dramatic urgency
about the dangers of collaborating with the world:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the *** of the flesh, and
the *** of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
1 John 2:15, 16.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God?
Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:4.
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own:
but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."
John 15:19.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean thing;, and I will receive you."
2 Corinthians 6:17.
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Titus 2:14.
These Bible writers were inspired by God to expose the deadly error of mingling together
the sacred and profane.
They are saying to us with one voice, "Don't love the world.
You are not of the world. Come out of the world and be a peculiar and separated
people."
These Bible texts are not to be taken as orders to leave the physical occupation of the
world.
Obviously, they are warnings against certain influences, customs, and
ideas which would be highly detrimental to the Christian
way of life.
In addition, Jesus Himself indicated that things
of the world would appear completely innocent in the eyes
of men.
He laid down an eternal principle when He spoke these words to the Pharisees:
"For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."
Luke 16:15.
Study that statement carefully.
Christ is saying that the most honoured, respected things
in society will be the greatest enemy of the
truth.
He is saying that His people would have to stand
on the opposite side from the popular practices of the world.
True Christians will have to reject the lifestyle
which will be the accepted, approved norm for
all the rest of the world.
Do we have any idea what is involved in taking such a
stand?
It is not easy to stand up against the smooth, articulate arguments of highly educated
individuals.
This sinful way of living will be taken for granted
so much, that the Bible standard will be looked
on as stupid and irrational.
E. G. White explains it like this:
"When we reach the standard that the Lord would
have us reach, worldlings will regard Seventh-day Adventists as
odd, singular, strait laced extremists.'' Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 289.
This brings us to another most important question: What effect will all of this worldly influences
have upon God's remnant church?
The absolute plan of our enemy is to make sin appear
unobjectionable, and if possible, to infiltrate the camp of the saints.
The one great citadel of strength, the last bulwark of defence
which stands against the lawless one, is the seed
of the woman.
According to Revelation 12:17,
"The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went
to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments
of God, and have the testimony
of Jesus Christ."
Satan hates the law of God. He hates the Sabbath.
And he hates those individuals who stand in the
gap, upholding the God's law.
Down through the centuries the devil has created special weapons to use against the
people of God.
Those weapons have been used in a variety of ways
.
Often the sharp edge of persecution was turned against
the little remnant who stood loyal to the commandments of God.
Persecution and the death sentence will come into the picture again as a desperate devil
unleashes the worst that he has against the true church.
He knows this is the life or death encounter which
will settle the issues of the great controversy for all eternity.
This time he will take no prisoners.
Relying upon the psychological expertise of 6,000
years' experience of trying to bend the human mind, he has a softening-up
plan against the people he hates.
That plan consists of gradually weakening the
spiritual defences of Seventh-day Adventists through worldly compromise.
This is the ultimate weapon which Satan has cleverly designed to undermine the faith of
every member of the remnant church.
How successful will it be?
How many will be shaken out in the approaching crisis
because they yielded to the things of the world?
The answer has been given over and over in the Spirit
of Prophecy.
It is a sickening answer, and we would like to believe it is not true. But
listen to what she says:
"I would say that we are living in a most solemn time.
In the last vision given me, I was shown the startling fact that but a small
portion of those who now profess the truth will be sanctified by it and be saved.
Many will get above the simplicity of the work.
They will conform to the world, cherish idols, and become spiritually dead."
Testimonies, Vol. 1, pp. 608-609.
How incredible!
The great majority of those who now rejoice in the truth will give up
their faith and be lost.
They will be lost because they "conform to the world."
Satan's insidious, innocent-appearing, highly attractive
lifestyle will soften them, weaken
them, and then finally destroy them.
Another statement is even more specific:
"The great proportion of those who now appear genuine
will prove to be base metal." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 136.
The softening-up strategy of the enemy is clearly described by E. G. White in these
words:
"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul.
The observance of the false sabbath will be urged
upon us.
The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of
men.
Those who have yielded step by step to worldly demands,
and conformed to worldly customs, will then yield to the
powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult,
threatened imprisonment, and death.
At that time the gold will be separated from the dross.
True godliness will be clearly distinguished from
the appearance and tinsel of it.
Many a star that we have admired for its brilliance will
then go out in darkness.
Those who have assumed the ornaments of
the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ's righteousness,
will then appear in the shame of their own nakedness."
Prophets and Kings, p. 188.
Don't miss the part that describes the reason for this mass apostasy.
"Those who have yielded step by step to worldly
demands, and conformed to worldly customs, will then
yield to the powers that be."
Not only will the majority of members be shaken out
of the church, but they will actually turn against
their former brethren and become bitter enemies
of the truth.
"As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's
message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth,
abandon their position and
join the ranks of the opposition.
By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters
in nearly the same light;
and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy,
popular side.
Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth,
employ their powers to deceive and mislead the
souls.
They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.
When Sabbath keepers are brought before
the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates
are the most efficient agents for Satan to misrepresent
and accuse them, and by false reports
and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them."
The Great Controversy, p. 608.
Again we hear the phrase, "By uniting with the
world ... they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side."
Notice that it is a preparation work---"They are prepared ..."
We again see the fantastic psychological program of Satan to
break down moral barriers.
Worldly compromise. Worldly conformity.
"The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and prosperity, she will
have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging,
forbidding circumstances.
The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced
or withheld, must be given under the
fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith.
And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose
influence has steadily retarded the progress of the
work, will renounce the faith, and take their stand
with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending.
These apostates will then manifest the most bitter
enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign
their former brethren and to excite indignation against them. This day
is just before us." Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 278.
The words "worldly conformity" spring out at us again from this statement.
Repeatedly we have been warned about this massive attack
of Satan through worldliness.
Yet, we hear so very little about this particular
subject.
Thousands of Seventh-day Adventists have been blinded to this operational plan
of the evil one.
Some of our people have been led to believe that it is
legalistic to make any kind of issue over standards and lifestyles.
To them it is judgmental. This is exactly the way Satan want them
feel.
They talk and think a lot about the final test over the
true Sabbath, but fail to see how the outcome of the
test is being determined right now.
Ellen White says:
"Those who are uniting with the world are receiving
the worldly mould and preparing for the Mark of the Beast.
Those who are distrustful of self, who are
humbling them selves before God, and purifying their souls by obeying the truth these
are receiving the heavenly mould and preparing for the Seal of God in
their foreheads." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 216.
The mark of the beast will be enforced.
Every individual will have to go to the side of the true
Sabbath or the counterfeit, Sunday.
Seventh-day Adventists will face the death sentence
for their faith.
And, tragically, the majority will not be able to stand in the crisis.
They will prove disloyal because of earlier compromise
and vacillation over God's standards.
By yielding gradually to worldly customs and fashions,
their strength of will and decision will be so diluted that they
cannot endure the test.
And this compromise is going on right now!
This very moment the great majority of our fellow
church members are bending toward the world to such a degree
that they will be lost when the mark is
enforced.
Here's the question that bothers me: Am I bending with them?
How can I be sure that I'm not following the wrong crowd which will
be shaken out of the church?
What cleverly disguised, diabolical method has
Satan employed to blind the eyes of so many
of God's people that they will finally choose
the world over the truth?
It must really be the masterpiece of all the
deceptive plans satan has ever used against the saints of God.
The people who have been noted for their high standards will be tricked into yielding up
their separated lifestyle.
The average Seventh day Adventist today would instantly deny that he or she is
being worldly.
The majority of our members would say that in no way shape or form
they will give up their faith, even in the face of death.
Yet we have just heard from God's prophet that they will!
What does this mean?
It means that most of our members are caught up in worldliness
and don't even realise it.
They are indulging in dangerous compromise and think it is
perfectly innocent and acceptable. They have been so blinded that they cannot
recognise the worldly things they are doing.
Why can they not see their involvement with the world?
Because the lowering of standards was so gradual that none realised
what was happening.
The devil's scheme is not to make the church suddenly
abandon its historic position against the flesh and the
world.
He is far too clever to think that we will make a public
announcement that it's ok to go to the movies, wear makeup
and jewellery, eat meat, or drink tea and coffee.
But Satan knows how the mind operates under the power of suggestion and association.
With infinite patience he introduces pictures, words,
ideas, and practices that cannot be condemned per se.
In fact, many of Satan's harmless attractions are not
only popular, but some people think it's a good thing.
A perfect example of what I mean, is television.
There's nothing wrong in watching the news, documentaries, and religious programs.
But the devil is cunning.
He knows that once you get into the habit of watch tv, he can get you to gradually watch
other types of programs.
After a while you can go from only watching the news
to regularly watching sports, then from watching documentaries to watching dramas and reality
shows.
Next thing you know, you're involved with Dancing
With the Stars and American Idol, and Desperate Housewives.
And so begins the process of psychological assault in which Satan
excells.
Very slowly the Christian senses are dulled by glimpses and snatches of
inappropriate comedy, a little nudity and violence, etc.
The mind adjusts to this new level of input, and
almost imperceptibly begins to tolerate the changed quality of sight and
sound.
Two inspired statements will help us see how the work of the enemy develops:
"Satan will insinuate himself by little wedges, which widen as they make a place for
themselves.
The specious devices of Satan will be brought into the special work of God
at this time." Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 21.
"The work of the enemy is not abrupt ....
It is a secret under mining of the strong holds
of principle. It begins in apparently small things." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 718.
The way in which quail birds are often trapped provides a good example of
Satan's tactics.
You see, wheat is placed several feet from the spot where a trap is triggered to
spring shut on the quail.
At first the birds approach the good wheat with some obvious
mistrust, but because there is no danger in view their fears suspicions
disappear.
The next day the wheat is placed a bit nearer to the
snare, and the birds are even less suspicious of
the scattered grain.
Day after day, the wheat is placed just a little bit closer to the trap,
until the quail are completely confident that there
is nothing dangerous about the fine wheat.
Then, of course, the grain is placed inside the snare, and the birds still come.
Innocently they trust the good food to remain a good and safe feast.
Then the trap is sprung.
Christians can be led to give up their high standards gradually, often
by a completely innocent seeming process.
This is the way compromise has always slipped into the church.
Satan introduces an activity which is only slightly objectionable.
In fact, it might be very hard to define exactly why the action isn't good.
And because the deviation is so tiny no one really
wants to make an issue over it.
Some faithful members of the church feel uncomfortable about the matter
but are reluctant to say anything for fear of being called
fanatical.
They decide to wait until there is a larger issue before they take a strong
stand.
Unfortunately, there will never be a larger issue.
The devil makes certain that all the steps of compromise are very small.
He knows that hardly anyone would have the courage
to make any objection to the tiny change from the straight and narrow path.
So we justify worldliness with the attitude, "A little bit is all right."
The dress is only a little short. The drink contains only a little
bit of caffeine. The TV
show only has a little bit of violence. The wedding ring is only a small
one, and it's just a small amount of makeup.
We could go on and on.
We can't seem to learn the lesson of Lot as he left ***.
Most of Lot's family had refused to leave the doomed city.
He had lost everything he owned by choosing to live
in that wicked environment
His home, wealth, and lovely daughters.
But when the angels urged him to flee into the mountains,
he begged for permission to move into another city!
And his rationalisation was, "Is it not a little one?" Genesis 19:20.
How could he do that?
Surely Lot had learned that the cities had almost destroyed him.
Since the day he "pitched his tent toward ***" the family had inched
almost slowly toward involvement with the corrupt
society of the inner city.
Little by little the transition was made from borderline
to full participation.
When Lot pleaded to live in yet another city, he was
demonstrating dramatically how gradual
compromise can blind the senses and distort the judgement.
How many in our church today have long ago pitched their tent toward ***?
How many have taken that first, easily justified
step toward compromise And how many
Seventh day Adventists felt uneasy about it but had not the courage to give warning?
Later, what happened?
Those desensitised Christians began to defend the progressive drift
of lowering standards by the same argument, "Is
it not a little one?"
Doesn't this explain how worldliness has crept even into the remnant
church?
Years ago women in the remnant church began to inch up
the hemlines of their dresses.
If the knee length was all fight, then what was wrong with half an
inch above the knee?
If it was ok at a half-inch above the knee, then how could another
half-inch make it bad?
Why didn't anyone raise a fuss when it was first raised above the knee?
Because every stage of the leavening process was too small to say anything.
Not even the pastor realised what was really taking
place.
Some older men in the congregation tried to speak
out, but they were quickly silenced by accusations of having a
perverted mind.
Very few members now blow the trumpet of warning against the growing
violation of modesty.
Now it's quite common to see young women saunter into church wearing
tight dresses low at the bosoms and high above the knees.
If you dare say anything you'll be accused of having sex on your mind.
How can we explain this blanket of silence? It is rooted in the fear of offending.
Ellen White said, "I saw that individuals would rise up against the plain testimonies.
It does not suit their natural feelings.
They would choose to have smooth things spoken unto them, and have
peace cried in their ears.
I view the church in a more dangerous condition than they
ever have been.
Experimental religion is known by but a few.
The shaking must soon take place to purify the church.
"Preachers should have no scruples to preach the truth as it is found in God's Word.
Let the truth out.
I have been shown that why ministers have not been
more successful, they are afraid of hurting feelings, fearful
of not being courteous, and they lower the
standard of truth and conceal if possible the peculiarity of
our faith.
I saw that God could not make such successful.
The truth must be made pointed, and the necessity of a
decision urged.
And as false shepherds are crying, peace, and are
preaching smooth things, the servants of God
must cry aloud and spare not, and leave the result with
God." Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II, pp. 284-285.
"By some there is a shunning of the living testimony.
Cutting truths must not be shunned. It needs something besides theory
to reach hearts now.
It needs the stirring testimony to alarm and arouse;
that will stir the enemy's subjects, and then honest souls
will be led to decide for the truth.
There has been and still is with some of us an inclination to
let sleeping dogs lie. Don't rock the boat.
The Pen of Inspirations states, "Sins exist in the church that God hates, but
they are scarcely touched for fear of making enemies.
Opposition has risen in the church to plain testimony. Some will not
bear it.
They wish smooth things spoken unto them. And if the wrongs of individuals
are touched, they complain of severity, and sympathise with
those in the wrong ....
When the church departs from God they despise the plain testimony, and complain of
severity and harshness.
It is a sad evidence of the lukewarm state of the church."
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. II, pp. 283-284.
The great need is for courageous church members who will speak boldly about right and
wrong.
The saint who truly loves the brethren and his God will not hesitate to call sin by
its right name.
This paragraph from the book Patriarchs and Prophets should burn us to take action.
Listen to this:
"Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong,
or who through indolence or lack of
interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held
accountable for the evil that may result from the neglect of duty.
We are just as responsible for evils that we
might have checked in others by exercise of parental
or pastoral authority, as if the acts had been
our own." Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 578.
Don't miss the important part of that statement.
If I am afraid to blow the trumpet and warn God's people
of approaching spiritual danger, and they are led into sin
as a consequence, then I will be held as accountable
for those sins as if they were my own. I
don't want to answer for the sins of others.
That's one reason I'm delivering this Advent Message.
Not enough members are hearing about the under handed tactics of the enemy to break down
the strength of the church today.
The only way we are going to stop this worldly encroachment into the church
is to draw a line somewhere, and stand on it.
The nibbling away of our standards will continue until we
muster the courage to resist all compromise.
Mrs. White said, "The distance is widening between Christ and His people,
and lessening between them and the world." Spiritual Gifts, Vol. IV, p. 68.
Again she wrote: "Our only safety is to stand as God's
peculiar people.
We must not yield one inch to the customs and fashions
of this degenerate age, but stand in moral independence,
making no compromise with its corrupt and idolatrous practices." Testimonies,
Vol. 5, p. 78.
It is the purpose The Advent Message to reveal the Bible way in which
by God's grace, we can get back to a state of primitive Godliness.
Until next time always remember that God loves you. Yes, He really, really does love you.