The Sealing Time Delayed

“Unto the Third and to the Fourth Generation”

A Bible & Spirit of Prophecy Compilation & Study

By Ryan McCoy

Scripture

“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” -Exodus 34:7 KJV

Abbreviations of Sources

AA     The Acts of the Apostles

AH     The Adventist Home

1BC   The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1 (2BC, etc., for vols. 2-7)

CD     Counsels on Diet and Foods

CG     Child Guidance

CH     Counsels on Health

ChS    Christian Service

CL     Country Living

CM     Colporteur Ministry

CS     Counsels on Stewardship

CSW    Counsels on Sabbath School Work

COL    Christ's Object Lessons

CT     Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students

CW     Counsels to Writers and Editors

DA     The Desire of Ages

Ed     Education

EGW'88   The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Ev     Evangelism

EW     Early Writings

FE     Fundamentals of Christian Education

GC     The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan

GCB    General Conference Bulletin

GCDB   General Conference Daily Bulletin

GH     The Gospel Herald

GW     Gospel Workers

HM     The Home Missionary

HP     In Heavenly Places

KC     The Kress Collection

LLM    Loma Linda Messages

LS     Life Sketches

Mar    Maranatha

1MCP   Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1 (2MCP for vol. 2)

MH     The Ministry of Healing

ML     My Life Today

MM     Medical Ministry

MR         Manuscript Release

1MR    Manuscript Releases, vol. 1  (2MR, etc., for vols. 2-19)

Ms     Ellen G. White Manuscript

MYP    Messages to Young People

1NL    Notebook Leaflets, vol. 1

OHC    Our High Calling 

PC     The Paulson Collection

Ph         Pamphlet

PK     Prophets and Kings

PP     Patriarchs and Prophets

RC     Reflecting Christ

RH     Review and Herald

1SAT   Sermons and Talks, vol. 1

SC     Steps to Christ

1SG    Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1 (2SG etc. for vols. 2-4)

1SM    Selected Messages, book 1 (2SM etc. for books 2 and 3)

SD     Sons and Daughters of God

SpM    Spalding-Magan Collection

1SP    Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1 (2SP etc. for vols. 2-4)

SpT-A  Special Testimonies, Series A

SpT-B  Special Testimonies, Series B

SR     The Story of Redemption

ST     The Signs of the Times

SW     The Southern Work 

1T     Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, (2T, etc., for vols. 2-9)

TDG    This Day With God 

Te     Temperance

TM     Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers

TMK     That I May Know Him

UL     The Upward Look

From the Authors

About This Ministry

Sealing Time Ministries is a Seventh-day Adventist supporting, not-for-profit, lay-evangelism, multimedia ministry.  Sealing Time Ministries is owned by God, but operated and managed by Ryan and Kelly McCoy.  We are home-based and located in Nampa, Idaho.

Goals

Our goals are threefold; a revival of the living testimony in our churches, reformation, and to give the trumpet that certain sound in proclaiming the three angel's messages of Revelation 14 to a world that desperately needs the Savior.

About The Author(s)

Ryan & Kelly McCoy are members of the Middlteton Seventh-day Adventist Church and are in good standing.  You can read more about us by visiting our website.

Updates

Sealing Time Ministries reserves the right to update these books/presentations at any time as necessary or as more truth is unfolded to us.  As such these books/presentations will be updated periodically as new material is found and added.  The date of print can be found in the lower right hand corner.

We do not claim to know all truth.  We believe truth to be progressive, especially is this true with the final prophecies concerning Daniel and Revelation.

We urge you, like the Bereans to study for yourself if these things are so.  If you know of a Bible verse, or Ellen White quote that might help with any aspect of this book/presentation please feel free to contact us and share it.

Contact

Internet: 

www.SealingTime.com

Phone: 

Omitted in this version due to spam.

Mailing Address: 

Sealing Time Ministries

Omitted in this version due to spam.

Omitted in this version due to spam.

The Sealing Time Ministries logo, (the Seal of God) is created by Ryan McCoy and is the property of Sealing Time Ministries, all rights are reserved.  If you are interested in using the artwork please contact us.

Important Notes

o       This book/presentation is created, printed, and published by Sealing Time Ministries.

o       Some Bible verses/quotes are repeated in different aspects of the books/presentations.  This is not an accident because some verses/quotes contain a large amount of information that may be relevant to more than one point of study, although we try to keep this to a minimum.

o       Most of the quotes used were written by Ellen G. White.  Ellen G. White was one of many pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist church.  She was well known and respected by many people of various denominations.  In her lifetime she received over 2000 visions and dreams, the subjects of which were quite diverse.  She is still the most translated female author.

o       All these books/presentations are written from an individual Seventh-day Adventist viewpoint and are not necessarily the views of all Seventh-day Adventists, nor that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Conference.  However, the material and concepts for these books/presentations has been readily accepted by most serious Seventh-day Adventists ranging from laymen, pastors, scholars, and theologians.

o       If you would like to order more copies of this book or a DVD of this presentation please visit our website at www.SealingTime.com

Prayer

(This page is intentionally left blank.  We believe every study should begin with prayer.)

The Sealing Time Delayed

“Unto the Third and to the Fourth Generation”

Series Presentation Outline 4 – Ready or Not, Here I Come!

 Table of Contents Omitted in this Version
 

Preface

This book & presentation came about one day I as I was studying thundering events yet ahead of us in Daniel and Revelation.  Sometimes as I am studying it seems that the Lord is almost sharing things faster than I can absorb them.  As a result sometimes I just have to lean back in my chair and look away from the computer for a short time to take it all in.

I had been pondering the Israelite’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness, and I was thinking about how we were coming to the close of three generations since 1888, and four generations since 1848, and how we as Adventists have been repeating the Israelites wandering experience, maybe many times over.  As I leaned back and was thinking, I happened to look over at our ministry laptop.  Our Sealing Time Ministries screen saver was running.  It was a very early version and only had a few Ellen White quotes about the Sealing Time in it, but one quote in particular really caught my attention in a new way.  Here is the quote:  “…But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice. The Lord's work has been hindered, the sealing time delayed. …” --Letter 106, 1897 {15MR 292.4}

As I read this quote it struck me for the first time that not only have we been repeating the experience of the children of Israel in the wilderness but we have been repeating it over and over, and that the Lord in mercy has prolonged time just for us!  As I began to dive deeper and deeper into this subject, this study was the result.

Introduction

Many probably haven't realized this but May 21st, 2008 marks off exactly 120 years (just as in Noah's day) that Seventh-day Adventists have been sounding a warning about Sunday worship laws.  This year also marks the end of both the third generation since 1888 (Sunday laws), and the fourth generation since 1848 (the Sabbath test began.)  The end of the third and fourth generations!  Could it be that we are the last generation?  Could it be that the final events that we've talked about for years are about to begin?  Could the Pope's visit to the US (full of secret meetings) have been more timely?  Might Sunday worship laws be coming soon?  Learn more in this exciting book!

This book is designed to trace the history of the Advent people since 1844, to discover just where we have failed the Lord and what may lie ahead in the near future. 

Something very important happened in Heaven and on Earth in 1888 that may have been missed!  As we study Ellen White's writings we will see that this amazing set of events was clearly set into motion just before 1888, events that resulted in “the Sealing Time Delayed,” and how these events relate to the end of both the third and fourth generations of God’s last day church!

We will also discover how a promise to Abraham, the life of Moses, the extended probation of Noah's day, a change in man's life-span by God, the second Commandment and it’s penalty, the experience of the children of Israel in the wilderness, Nehemiah’s experience while rebuilding the wall, and many passages in Ellen White's writings all tie into a special message to the last generation.

The purpose of this book is not to “date set” but to bring forth evidence that we may definitely be living in the last generation, and that the movement for Sunday Law legislation may happen sooner than we think.

“The end will come more quickly than men expect.” {GC 630.2}
*** Please Read the Following Carefully ***

In sharing a message like this, there is always a danger of taking things too far, and making an attempt to set dates. 

I am not a prophet, nor do I claim to be.  I only claim to be a student of the Bible and Ellen White.  I share this study because I feel compelled to and I cannot ignore the amazing, perhaps prophetic significance that all these events, promises, visions, and stories have in common.  To me, the evidence is overwhelming that the final events that we have awaited for so long, are much closer than we may have thought, and could very well begin to happen “sooner than men expect.”

The purpose of this study is in no way, shape or form an attempt at date setting but is to clearly bring to view that we are, without a doubt, living in the last generation on this earth.

I’ve seen enough pain and hurt on this earth.  I’ve seen what sin has cost my Jesus.  I want to go home.  I want to go to Heaven soon!  How about you?

The Sealing Time Delayed

“Unto the Third and to the Fourth Generation”

1. 1844 – Our Faith Was Tested & We Failed!
   1. “The history of ancient Israel is a striking illustration of the past experience of the Adventist body. God led His people in the advent movement, even as He led the children of Israel from Egypt. In the great disappointment their faith was tested as was that of the Hebrews at the Red Sea. Had they still trusted to the guiding hand that had been with them in their past experience, they would have seen the salvation of God. If all who had labored unitedly in the work in 1844, had received the third angel's message and proclaimed it in the power of the Holy Spirit, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts. A flood of light would have been shed upon the world. Years ago the inhabitants of the earth would have been warned, the closing work completed, and Christ would have come for the redemption of His people.”  {GC 457.2}

2. 1848 - The Sabbath Restored - The First Sabbath Conference
   1. The Sabbath Test for Ancient Israel - Exodus 16

                                                              i.      “And the LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” –Exodus 16:28

2. The First “Sabbath Conference” - 1848

                                                              i.      First “Sabbath Conference” held at Rocky Hill, CT  –“Who Are Seventh-day Adventists?” RH Pg. 13

3. The Sabbath Test for Modern Israel – 1848

                                                              i.      “After Jesus opened the door of the most holy, (1844) the light of the Sabbath was seen, (1848) and the people of God were tested, as the children of Israel were tested anciently, to see if they would keep God's law. ...”  {EW 254.2}

3. 1848-1888 A Forty Year Period Recognized
   1. “For about forty years, (1848-1888) students of prophecy in the United States have presented this testimony to the world. In the events now taking place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of the prediction. With Protestant teachers there is the same claim of divine authority for Sunday-keeping, and the same lack of scriptural evidence, as with the papist leaders who fabricated miracles to supply the place of a command from God. The assertion that God's judgments are visited upon men for their violation of the Sunday-sabbath, will be repeated; already it is beginning to be urged. And a movement to enforce Sunday observance is fast gaining ground."  {GC88 579.1}

4. 1888 - Righteousness By Faith, Right On Time
   1. “At the age of 23 Alonzo T. Jones, an officer in the United States Army, became a Seventh-day Adventist. An earnest, studious, self-made man, he qualified himself for the ministry, which he entered in 1885. He soon distinguished himself as an associate editor of the Signs of the Times. Soon he was joined by a physician-turned-minister, Dr. Ellet J. Waggoner. At the General Conference of 1888, the two led out in the presentation on righteousness by faith. They carried the strong support of Ellen White as advocate of this precious truth. When she could, she traveled and worked with them for two years following the session, carrying the message to churches, ministerial institutes, institutions, and camp meetings.”  {5BIO 414.4}

5. May 21, 1888 – Blair Sunday-Rest Bill Introduced
   1. Fiftieth Congress -- First Session
      [Blair Sunday-rest bill.]
      S. 2983. "To secure to the people the enjoyment of the first day of the week, commonly known as the Lord's Day, as a day of rest, and to promote its observance as a day of worship."
      Introduced by Senator Blair, of New Hampshire, May 21, 1888; referred to Committee on Education and Labor; hearing on bill December 13, 1888, report of hearing Miscellaneous Document No. 43; not reported out of committee. C. R. 19.4155.

6. Revelation 7:2,3 - Past, Present, or Future?

“Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” –Revelation 7:2,3

1. The Vision of Future Events – Part 1 – Friday Night, January 5^th, 1849

                                                              i.      The Four Winds Begin to be Released

1.      “I saw that the four angels would hold the four winds until Jesus' work was done in the sanctuary, and then will come the seven last plagues…” {EW 36.2}

                                                           ii.      Interception at the Gate of Heaven

1.      “Then my attending angel directed me to the city again, where I saw four angels winging their way to the gate of the city. They were just presenting the golden card to the angel at the gate when I saw another angel flying swiftly from the direction of the most excellent glory, (2 Peter 1:17) and crying with a loud voice to the other angels, and waving something up and down in his hand. I asked my attending angel for an explanation of what I saw. He told me that I could see no more then, but he would shortly show me what those things that I then saw meant.”  {EW 37.1}

2. The Vision of Future Events – Part 2 – Sabbath Afternoon, January 6^th, 1849

                                                              i.      Not Yet Time – The Wedding Rehearsal?

1.      “Sabbath afternoon… the Spirit fell upon me, and I was taken off in vision.” {EW 37.2}    
“I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. …” {EW 38.1}

a.      Let’s stop right here for a second and analyze this.  Why is it that it was not yet time?  What Jesus is wearing gives us the clue.  He is still dressed in priestly garments.  This tells us he was still in a role of intercession.  Remember from EW 36.2 that as long as Jesus’ work is not finished it’s impossible for the plagues to be poured out.

                                                           ii.      “My blood Father!  My blood!  My blood!  My blood!”

1.      “He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, “My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!” Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. …” {EW 38.1}

                                                         iii.      “Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold!”

1.      “… Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads."  {EW 38.1}

                                                         iv.      1882 Future Tense – About to let the Four Winds Go!

1882 is the last future tense printing of this vision!

1.      “I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads.” {EW 38.2} (1882)

3. 1888 Pivotal – The Angels Commanded to Hold!

                                                              i.      December 11, 1888 – Present Tense – Crying to God for the Angels to Hold!

1.      “The prophet 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." Another angel, ascending from the east, cried to them, saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." This points out the work we now have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world, and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah.” --RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.  {LDE 125.2}

a.      Thought – A very present tense cry came up to God in 1888 to hold.  Did Jesus present this petition to the Father?  What was His response?  Can we thank God for this response?

                                                           ii.      1897 – Past Tense – The Angel Would Not Have Come!

1.      “The Lord God is a jealous God, yet He bears long with the sins and transgressions of His people in this generation. If the people of God had walked in His counsel, the work of God would have advanced, the messages of truth would have been borne to all people that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Had the people of God believed Him and been doers of His word, had they kept His commandments, the angel would not have come flying through heaven with the message to the four angels that were to let loose the winds that they should blow upon the earth crying, Hold, hold the four winds that they blow not upon the earth until I have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. ...” --Letter 106, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. March 12, 1986.  {15MR 292.4}

                                                         iii.      1908 – Past Tense - The Command to Hold had Already Been Given!

1.      “We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven--events which it was declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hastening greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force that they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.” --Ms 117, 1908.  {3MR 313.1}

4. The Command to Hold! – Review

                                                              i.      1849-1882 – Future Tense

1.      “they were about to let them go” –EW38.2 (1882)

                                                           ii.      1888 – Present Tense

1.      “The work we now have to do,… cry to God for the angels to hold” -RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888

                                                         iii.      1897 – Past Tense

1.      “Had the people of God believed Him and been doers of His word, had they kept His commandments, the angel would not have come… crying, Hold, hold the four winds…” - 15MR 292.4 (1897)

                                                         iv.      1908 – Past Tense

1.      “… the command to the angels is still in force, that they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads …” –{MS 117, 1908} {3MR 313.1} {RH Jan. 28, 1909} {7BC 968.12}

                                                            v.      The Command to Hold! - Conclusion

1.      We can see that the angel came sometime in this period from 1882-1897.  Logically we would assume the he came in 1888 because National Sunday Laws in the United States were introduced, but because they were annulled the beginning of the final events was delayed, the end of the sealing time delayed.  But, how can we be sure the angel came in 1888?

5. The Sunday Law Movement of the 1880’s is Directly Related to the Angel’s Message to Hold!

                                                              i.      Ellen White

1.      "The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. We came near having this realized in California a short time since, but this was only the threatening of the blowing of the four winds. As yet they are held by the four angels. We are not just ready. There is a work yet to be done, and then the angels will be bidden to let go, that the four winds may blow upon the earth.” --5T 152 (1882) {LDE 148.3}

                                                           ii.      White Estate Compilations

1.      “The Sunday-Law Movement in the 1880s”

a.      [FOR HELPFUL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND MORE EXTENSIVE E. G. WHITE QUOTATIONS, SEE SELECTED MESSAGES, BOOK 3, PP. 380-402, AND TESTIMONIES FOR THE CHURCH, VOL. 5, PP. 711-718.]  (We only looked at the second paragraph of this section earlier, now we will look at the preceding paragraph with it in context.)
“We have been looking many years for a Sunday law to be enacted in our land, and now that the movement is right upon us, we ask, What are our people going to do in the matter? . . . We should especially seek God for grace and power to be given His people now. God lives, and we do not believe that the time has fully come when He would have our liberties restricted.”  {LDE 125.1}    
“The prophet 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.” Another angel, ascending from the east, cried to them, saying, “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” This points out the work we now have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world, and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah.” --RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.  {LDE 125.2}

6. Conclusion - Revelation 7:2,3 & 1888

                                                              i.      We can be sure it happened in 1888, because Ellen White, and the White Estate link the Sunday Laws of 1888 to the angel’s message to HOLD!  It is very clear that the angel bearing the message to HOLD! the four winds came in 1888 in direct relation to the Sunday Laws that were almost legislated on May 21st in the United States!  God has prolonged time because His people were not ready!  This event set in motion an extended probation to the inhabitants of Earth!   The Sealing Time Delayed!

7. “The Sealing Time Delayed”
   1. “Time is Prolonged”

                                                              i.      (We noted the first half of the paragraph before, but now let’s read the rest.) “The Lord God is a jealous God, yet He bears long with the sins and transgressions of His people in this generation. (The generation of 1888) If the people of God had walked in His counsel, the work of God would have advanced, the messages of truth would have been borne to all people that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Had the people of God believed Him and been doers of His word, had they kept His commandments, the angel would not have come flying through heaven with the message to the four angels that were to let loose the winds that they should blow upon the earth crying, Hold, hold the four winds that they blow not upon the earth until I have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads. But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice. The Lord's work has been hindered, the sealing time delayed. Many have not heard the truth. But the Lord will give them a chance to hear and be converted, and the great work of God will go forward.” --Letter 106, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. March 12, 1986. Entire Letter.  {15MR 292.4}

2. The Extended Probation of 120 Years & the Sons of the Prophets

                                                              i.      “A correct education had been given them [the sons of the prophets] in regard to the living God. The past history of the people of God, the fall of Adam and Eve through transgression, the preaching of Noah, the extended probation of 120 years, and the final destruction of the old world by a flood was known to them. The crime and violence of the antediluvians, their repeated rejection of the messages sent, wore out the long-suffering patience of God, and these despisers of His mercy were made to drink the waters of the flood. The children of Israel were instructed in the Word of God, that they might prepare for the advent of Christ.”  {10MR 384.1}          
“Jezebel fought determinedly against God in the person of His faithful people. The persecution of the prophets was so great that Elijah supposed he was the only one who had escaped her power. "I, even I only, am left," he said, "and they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:14).” --Ms. 116, 1899, p. 1. ("The Sin of Jezebel," August 15, 1899.) White Estate Washington, D. C. April 27, 1981  {10MR 384.2}

1.      The sons of the prophets?  The extended probation of 120 years???  The final destruction?  Made to drink?  “that they might prepare for the advent of Christ?”  The persecution was so great?  Don’t these phrases sound a lot more like terms used in Revelation?  How would “the extended probation of 120 years” have even applied to ancient Israel?  Or could it relate to the modern Israel of today?  Could this apply especially to the last generation?   Why even mention “the extended probation of 120 years” in relation to “prepare for the advent of Christ” at all, unless it refers to the beginning of the events leading to the SECOND advent of Christ?  Might God have shed a special light on when the final events begin; the events that lead up to Christ’s coming, using “the extended probation of 120 years” of Noah as an example?  The comparison in this quote is striking.  In fact it seems more like this quote is speaking to us today than to ancient Israel!

3. Who are the Sons of the Prophets today?

                                                              i.      “You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”  -Acts 3:25,26

                                                           ii.      The sons of the prophets are everyone who turns away from their sins today!

4. Rephrased for Emphasis

                                                              i.      “A correct education had been given YOU [the sons of the prophets] in regard to the living God. The past history of the people of God, the fall of Adam and Eve through transgression, the preaching of Noah, the extended probation of 120 years, and the final destruction of the old world by a flood was known to YOU. The crime and violence of the antediluvians, their repeated rejection of the messages sent, wore out the long-suffering patience of God, and these despisers of His mercy were made to drink the waters of the flood. The children of MODERN Israel were instructed in the Word of God, that they might prepare for the advent of Christ.”  {10MR 384.1}

5. Conclusion – The Refusal to Do the Work

                                                              i.      God delayed or extended the end of the sealing time for one reason only.   According to Ellen White the final work should have been done before 1888.  But sadly the final events were ready, and God’s people were not!  The final work was not done yet!  And because of this, just as ancient Israel wandered in the wilderness of sin, we began to wander right after them.  But surely we are better than ancient Israel right?  We wouldn’t keep going back to wandering in the wilderness repeatedly right?

8. The Final Events Almost Happened Just After 1888

(Just after the first 40 years of wandering.)

1. “It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. . . . A vast responsibility is devolving upon men and women of prayer throughout the land to petition that God may sweep back this cloud of evil, and give a few more years of grace to work for the Master.”  --RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888.  {LDE 126.3}
2. “Those who are now keeping the commandments of God need to bestir themselves that they may obtain the special help which God alone can give them. They should work more earnestly to delay as long as possible the threatened calamity.” --RH Dec. 18, 1888.  {LDE 126.4}
3. The following quote is written in 1889:  “I expect that during the year 1890 there will be great mortality. There will be crimes greater than any now on record. There will be weeping and lamentation and woe. During the past year, 1889, there has been brought to us almost daily the news of disasters by sea and by land--unusually destructive fires; earthquakes burying cities and villages with their inhabitants; railway accidents most terrible; tornadoes and floods that destroyed an immense amount of property, including the terrible Johnstown and Williamsport floods, which destroyed more than two thousand lives.”  {3MR 312.1}
   “The disasters of the past year in America have caused hearts to tremble, and similar disasters have fallen upon other countries. Already sprinklings from the vials of God's wrath have been let fall upon land and sea, affecting the elements of the air. The causes of these unusual conditions are being searched for, but in vain.”  {3MR 312.2}
   “God has not restrained the powers of darkness from carrying forward their deadly work of vitiating the air, one of the sources of life and nutrition, with a deadly miasma. Not only is vegetable life affected, but man suffers from pestilences. Cholera and unexplainable diseases have broken out. Diphtheria, raging to a limited extent, is gathering its harvest of precious little ones, and seems to be almost uncontrollable.”  {3MR 312.3}
   “These things are the result of drops from the vials of God's wrath being sprinkled on the earth, and are but faint representations of what will be in the near future. Earthquakes in various places have been felt, but these disturbances have been very limited. This year we may expect to have more.” {3MR 312.4}

9. The Example of Noah’s Day
   1. Jesus Compared Noah’s Day to the Time of the End

                                                              i.      “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man”  –Luke 17:26

2. The Last Warning Message to the Last Generation

                                                              i.      Noah – The Last Generation of His Day

1.      “Before the destruction of the old world by a flood, there were talented men, men who possessed skill and knowledge. But they became corrupt in their imagination, because they left God out of their plans and councils. They were wise to do what God had never told them to do, wise to do evil. The Lord saw that this example would be deleterious to those who should afterwards be born, and He took the matter in hand. For 120 years He sent them warnings through His servant Noah. But they used the probation so graciously granted them in ridiculing Noah. They caricatured him and criticized him. They laughed at him for his peculiar earnestness and intense feeling in regard to the judgments which he declared God would surely fulfill. They talked of science and of the laws controlling nature. Then they held a carnival over the words of Noah, calling him a crazy fanatic. God's patience was exhausted. He said to Noah, "The end of all flesh is come before Me. For the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth" [Gen. 6:13].”  {21MR 454.2}

                                                           ii.      God’s Last Day Church – Noah Compared to The Last Generation on Earth

1.      “I was pointed back to faithful Noah. When the rain descended and the flood came, Noah and his family had entered the ark, and God had shut them in. Noah had faithfully warned the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, while they had mocked and derided him. And as the waters descended upon the earth, and one after another was drowning, they beheld that ark, of which they had made so much sport, riding safely upon the waters, preserving the faithful Noah and His family. So I saw that the people of God, who had faithfully warned the world of His coming wrath, would be delivered. God would not suffer the wicked to destroy those who were expecting translation and who would not bow to the decree of the beast or receive his mark.”  {EW 284.1}

2.      “Before the destruction of the old world, there were talented men, men who possessed skill and knowledge; but they became lifted up in their own imaginations; just as men are doing today, and because they left God out of their plans and councils, they became wise to do that which God had never told them to do, wise to do evil. Their wisdom would have worked destruction to those who should be born who should come in contact with them, and the Lord took the matter in hand, and cut them off from the earth. After sending them warnings for a hundred and twenty years, God's mercy and forbearance was exhausted, and then the day of probation was ended. The probation given them in mercy, they devoted to ridiculing Noah, whom God had sent with a message. They caricatured and criticized him, just as some who thought themselves wise have done; they have laughed at the messengers (today) just as they did in Noah's day for his peculiar earnestness, and for his intense feelings in regard to the judgments that were sure to come. Noah warned them that God would fulfill his word; but they reasoned among themselves, they talked of science, and of the laws controlling nature, and they laughed Noah to scorn, calling him a crazy fanatic. Men who believes themselves to be wise in our day, will do good to their own souls, and to the souls for whom Christ died, if they recognize that there is a wisdom, an unsanctified wisdom, that comes from beneath, which has been in the world ever since the fall.”  {PC 387.3}

3. 120 years of Warning – Then & Now

                                                              i.      120 years before the flood God said: “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, for he is indeed flesh; yet his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.” –Genesis 6:3

                                                           ii.      Not only was all mankind given 120 years of extended probation before the waters of the flood came, but due to the change in diet after the flood his lifespan was limited to approximately 120 years as well.  Our lifespan of approximately 120 years is our personal time of probation on this earth.   Could it be that this is a faith building illustration designed primarily for the last generation?

                                                         iii.      “Of the vast population of the earth before the Flood, only eight souls believed and obeyed God's word through Noah. For a hundred and twenty years the preacher of righteousness warned the world of the coming destruction, but his message was rejected and despised. So it will be now.” {PP 102.2}

1.      Thought - Just as in Noah’s day we have been warning the world about the coming storm of Sunday worship laws now for 120 years.  Could it be that the storm is about to begin very soon?

4. Extended probation

                                                              i.      “In the antediluvian world, man refused to obey. There was an extraordinary prevalence of feeling of self-importance. Sinful man, with swelling pride, continued in deeds of unrighteousness. The Lord bore long with transgressors, and in mercy gave man a probation of one hundred and twenty years. If the evil-doers repented not, they were to be swept from the face of the earth by a flood of waters. Noah and his helpers were constantly at work preparing an immense boat. Many of the believing ones kept the faith and died triumphant.”  {21MR 65.3}  (You can see here a type of the older faithful generations of our church today dying in faith, and will be resurrected.)
“Finally the long period of probation was about to close. By the standard of God's law, the obedient were distinguished from the disobedient. The time was a most critical one. Will Noah become tempted by the universal scorn which he sees thrown upon God's law and upon himself and his helpers, and will he have less reverence and love for this law? No; for Noah, and those who died in the faith, preached all the more earnestly, in proportion to the ridicule and scorn heaped upon them for building that immense ark--a boat on dry land.”  {21MR 65.4}
“When the ark was finished and the goods were stored, another sign was given.  (The sign we are told to watch for today is the abomination of desolation mentioned in Matthew 24.)  Approaching the ark were seen cattle and all other living creatures, two and two.”  {21MR 66.1}
“These having been housed, there came a period of testing.  (The period of testing coming for us today will be called the small time of trouble.)  No rain fell for one week. What revilings there were on the part of the unbelieving mockers about the ark! But after six days--the one week's trial following the shutting in of the believers by an invisible hand, a week during which the fruit of unbelief, in words and acts of mockery, had been fully revealed--a steady rain set in, and continued until the whole of the unbelievers who were outside of the ark were perishing in their sins. Not a living being or a dumb animal outside the ark, was left alive.”  {21MR 66.2}
“Said Christ, "As it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man" [Luke 17:26]. Let all read and understand the warnings given by the Saviour.”  {21MR 66.3}

5. The Warning of Noah is Sounding Today

                                                              i.      “The faithful Noah had spoken to them the words of God, assuring them if they would repent of their sins and believe the testimony of warning they might find a shelter in the ark and be saved from the destructive storm that was soon coming. As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. Water will never destroy the earth again, but the weapons of God are concealed in the bowels of the earth which he will draw forth to unite with the fire from heaven to accomplish his purpose in the destruction of all those who would not receive the message of warning and purify their souls in obeying the truth and being obedient to the laws of God. The voice of warning is now being heard inviting the people to escape and find refuge, not in the ark but in Jesus Christ. How will the warning be treated? Christ tells us just as it was received in the days of Noah. Thousands will deride the message of mercy and salvation, and turn aside, one to his merchandise, another to his farm, and give little or no attention to these things. They will be occupied with eating, drinking, and dressing, planting and building as in the days of Noah, as though no sound of alarm had ever saluted their ears.”  {ST, January 3, 1878 par. 9}

6. Conclusion

                                                              i.      If the warning of Noah’s day is sounding today, how are you treating it?  The warning of Noah only produced two groups, those that mocked & derided the messengers and the message, whether by their actions or by their silent influences, or then there are those who heard the warning, were convicted & took up the warning message themselves.  Which group do you consider yourself with?

10. A Special Light
    1. 120 years of Noah – Past Tense Compared to the Present Tense

                                                              i.      “When the Lord sends light to his people, he means that they shall be attentive to hear and ready to receive the message. In great forbearance, he waits for man to come to his terms. For 120 years he waited for the people of the old world to receive the warning of the flood. Those who rejected the message turned his long forbearance and patience into an occasion of scorn and unbelief. The message and messenger became the butt of their ridicule. Noah's earnestness and zeal in appealing to them to turn from their evil way, was criticised and jeered at. God is not in a hurry to carry out his plans; for he is from everlasting to everlasting. He gives light and opens his truth more fully to those whom he would have to receive it, that they in their turn may take up the words of warning and encouragement, and give them to others. If men of repute and intelligence refuse to do this, the Lord will choose other instruments, honoring those who are looked upon as inferior. If those in positions of trust will put their whole heart into the work, they may bear the message for this time, and press the work forward; but God will honor those who honor him.”  {RH, October 21, 1890 par. 9}

2. Conclusion

                                                              i.      What light?  Could this be light about  a period 120 years of warning just as in Noah’s day?  Notice carefully the tense of the words!  She links the 120 years of warning here with light that God sends to his people, the message for this time!

11. Ancient & Modern Israel
    1. 40 Years of Unbelief, Murmuring & Rebellion

                                                              i.      “For 40 years did unbelief, murmuring and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow, so many years.” Manuscript 4, 1883

                                                           ii.      “From that scene of rejoicing on the shores of the Red Sea, when Israel went forth with song and dance to celebrate Jehovah's triumph, to the wilderness grave which ended a lifelong wandering--such had been the fate of millions who with high hopes had come forth from Egypt. Sin had dashed from their lips the cup of blessing. Would the next generation learn the lesson?” {PP 410.2}

2. The Manna – The Word of God

                                                              i.      "The children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited: they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan." For forty years they were daily reminded by this miraculous provision, of God's unfailing care and tender love. In the words of the psalmist, God gave them "of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels' food" (Psalm 78:24, 25)--that is, food provided for them by the angels. Sustained by "the corn of heaven," they were daily taught that, having God's promise, they were as secure from want as if surrounded by fields of waving grain on the fertile plains of Canaan.”  {PP 297.1}

1.      Thought - What is the lesson of faith here for us today?

3. The Wilderness Experience Also for the Rising Generation(s)

                                                              i.      “The wilderness wandering was not only ordained as a judgment upon the rebels and murmurers, but it was to serve as a discipline for the rising generation, preparatory to their entrance into the Promised Land. Moses declared to them, "As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee," "to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep His commandments, or no. And He . . . suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live." Deuteronomy 8:5, 2, 3.  {PP 407.1}

1.      Thought – Could it be that God has been testing our generations over the commandments?  Since we are still here what does it tell you about how have our generations been found?

4. The Mixed Multitude Excluded Until the Third Generation (A Type of the Gentiles)

                                                              i.      “The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.” –Deuteronomy 23:8

                                                           ii.      “On one occasion the son of an Israelitish woman and of an Egyptian, one of the mixed multitude that had come up with Israel from Egypt, left his own part of the camp, and entering that of the Israelites, claimed the right to pitch his tent there. This the divine law forbade him to do, the descendants of an Egyptian being excluded from the congregation until the third generation. A dispute arose between him and an Israelite, and the matter being referred to the judges was decided against the offender.”  {PP 407.4}

5. The Sabbath Neglected

                                                              i.      Ancient Israel

1.      “Such was their neglect of the Sabbath during the forty years' wandering, that though God did not prevent them from entering Canaan, He declared that they should be scattered among the heathen after the settlement in the Land of Promise.” {PP 409.3}

a.      Thought – Have we been neglecting the Sabbath?  Could this be one of the reasons that we are still here?

                                                           ii.      Modern Israel

1.      “There is need of a Sabbath reform among us, who profess to observe God's holy rest-day.”  {RH, March 18, 1884 par. 7}

2.      “And at the commencement of the time of trouble, we were filled with the Holy Ghost as we went forth and proclaimed the Sabbath more fully.” {RH, July 21, 1851 par. 12} [2 ESDRAS 16:68-74.]  (WLF 18.4) (EW 33.2)

6. Backsliding in Health Reform

                                                              i.      “In this experience of backsliding from the principles of health reform, our people have been repeating the history of the Children of Israel in the wilderness during their forty years of travel. Those who continue to follow their own course in this respect, eating and drinking as they please, will gradually grow careless of the instructions of the Lord regarding other phases of the present truth; they will surely reap as they have sown.”  {SpM 428.2}

                                                           ii.      “Seventh-day Adventists are handling momentous truths. More than forty years ago the Lord gave us special light on health reform, but how are we walking in that light? How many have refused to live in harmony with the counsels of God! As a people, we should make advancement proportionate to the light received. It is our duty to understand and respect the principles of health reform. On the subject of temperance we should be in advance of all other people;, and yet there are among us well-instructed members of the church, and even ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the light that God has given upon this subject. They eat as they please, and work as they please.”  {CD 24.2} (9T 158 - 1909)
     “I have been shown that the principles that were given us in the early days of the message are as important and should be regarded just as conscientiously today as they were then. There are some who have never followed the light given on the question of diet. It is now time to take the light from under the bushel and let it shine forth in clear, bright rays.”  {9T 158.3}
“When the Lord led the children of Israel from Egypt, He purposed to establish them in Canaan a pure, happy, healthy people. Let us study the plan of God, and see how this was accomplished. He restricted their diet. To a large degree, He took flesh food from them. But they hankered after the fleshpots of Egypt, and God gave them flesh, and with it the sure result.”  {CD 406.3}
“We have been going back to Egypt rather than on to Canaan. Shall we not reverse the order of things? Shall we not have plain, wholesome food on our tables? … Those who elevate the standard as nearly as they can to the order of God, according to the light God has given them through His word and the testimonies of His Spirit, will not change their course of action to meet the wishes of their friends or relatives, be they one or two or a host, who are living contrary to God's wise arrangement. If we move from principle in these things, if we observe strict rules of diet, if as Christians we educate our tastes after God's plan, we shall exert an influence which will meet the mind of God. The question is, "Are we willing to be true health reformers?"  {CD 408.2}
“Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design--that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth.” {FLB 230.8}

                                                         iii.      “The failure to follow sound principles has marred the history of God's people. There has been a continual backsliding in health reform, and as a result God is dishonored by a great lack of spirituality. Barriers have been erected which would never have been seen had God's people walked in the light.”  {RH, May 27, 1902 par. 13}

1.      Thought – How would you describe your walk with Christ in the area of health reform?  Are you seeking more knowledge in the area of health reform?  Have you been digging in your heels and not moving forward?  Backsliding in the area of health reform weakens the church spiritually.  Do we really want a weak church?

7. The Delay on the Mountain & Idolatry

                                                              i.      Ancient Israel

1.      “¹Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”  ²And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” ³So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. ⁴And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf.  Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” –Exodus 32:1-4

                                                           ii.      Modern Israel

1.      “¹Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ²Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” –Matthew 25:1-5

2.      “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’” –Matthew 24:48

3.      “³Thus says the LORD: ‘I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.  Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the LORD of hosts, the Holy Mountain.’” –Zechariah 8:3

                                                         iii.      Conclusion

1.      “The great sin of ancient Israel was in turning from God to idols. This is also the great sin of modern Israel.” {RH, June 3, 1880 par. 2}

8. We’re Better Than Ancient Israel, Right?!? 

We wouldn’t repeat mistakes that would cause generation after generation to wander, right?  We would follow Jesus right into the Promised Land? Right?!?

                                                              i.      “I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed; that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be so ungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel: “Ye have done worse than they.” …” {1T 129.1}

9. Disobedience, Unbelief, Backsliding, Apostasy, and Refusing to Do the Work

                                                              i.      Disobedience

1.      “To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,” –Acts 7:39

2.      “But because the people are disobedient, unthankful, unholy, as were ancient Israel, time is prolonged that all may hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice.” --Letter 106, 1897. Ellen G. White Estate Washington, D. C. March 12, 1986. Entire Letter.  {15MR 292.4}

                                                           ii.      Unbelief Separates From God

1.      “It was not the will of God that Israel should wander forty years in the wilderness; He desired to lead them directly to the land of Canaan and establish them there, a holy, happy people. But "they could not enter in because of unbelief." Hebrews 3:19. Because of their backsliding and apostasy they perished in the desert, and others were raised up to enter the Promised Land. In like manner, it was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be so long delayed and His people should remain so many years in this world of sin and sorrow. But unbelief separated them from God. As they refused to do the work which He had appointed them, others were raised up to proclaim the message. In mercy to the world, Jesus delays His coming, that sinners may have an opportunity to hear the warning and find in Him a shelter before the wrath of God shall be poured out.”  {GC 458.1}

                                                         iii.      Loving the World

1.      If you don’t believe in God it’s called Atheism!  The sad fact is that the generation leading up to 1888 really didn’t want to go home yet!  They still loved the things of this world.  In the previous paragraph you can follow the progression.  Unbelief separates from God and leads to backsliding.  Backsliding leads to apostasy.  And apostasy leads to a generation perishing in the wilderness.

                                                         iv.      The High Cost of Loving the World

1.      “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” –James 4:4

                                                            v.      Satan’s Plan for Laodicea

1.      “I saw Satan and his angels consulting together. He bade his angels go and lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ's second appearing, and who were keeping all God's commandments. Satan told his angels that the churches were all asleep. He would increase his power and lying wonders, and he could hold them. ...”  {1SG 179.1}
“Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than the success of Christ's kingdom, or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it. ...”  {1SG 179.2}

a.      Thought – Who are the people who are, “looking for Christ’s second appearing,” “keeping all God’s commandments,” that have a problem with being “rich and increased with goods?”  Could this problem have led us to break the second commandment and commit idolatry?

                                                         vi.      God Acknowledges Laodicea’s Problem

1.      “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:” -Revelation 3:17 KJV

                                                       vii.      Unbelief Leads to Idolatry

1.      “Unbelief in God will always result in idolatry in one form or another.” –Ryan McCoy

10. Conclusion

                                                              i.      “I was pointed back to ancient Israel. But two of the adults of the vast army that left Egypt entered the land of Canaan. Their dead bodies were strewn in the wilderness because of their transgressions. Modern Israel are in greater danger of forgetting God and being led into idolatry than were His ancient people. Many idols are worshiped, even by professed Sabbathkeepers. God especially charged His ancient people to guard against idolatry, for if they should be led away from serving the living God, His curse would rest upon them, while if they would love Him with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their might, He would abundantly bless them in basket and in store, and would remove sickness from the midst of them.”  {1T 609.1}
“A blessing or a curse is now before the people of God--a blessing if they come out from the world and are separate, and walk in the path of humble obedience; and a curse if they unite with the idolatrous, who trample upon the high claims of heaven. The sins and iniquities of rebellious Israel are recorded and the picture presented before us as a warning that if we imitate their example of transgression and depart from God we shall fall as surely as did they. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” {1T 609.2}

12. The Terrible Penalty for Idolatry - “Unto the Third and to the Fourth Generation”
    1. The Second Commandment

                                                              i.      “… 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

2. God Spoke about the Commandments As Given the Second Time

                                                              i.      “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” –Exodus 34:7

3. Only Two Choices

                                                              i.      “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” –Luke 16:13

4. Child Guidance & Defective Training

                                                              i.      “And their children have to suffer because of their defective training; for they stamp their faults upon them to the third and fourth generation.”  {CG 275.1}

5. God’s Requirements Haven’t Changed

                                                              i.      “Unmistakable evidence is given that God is a jealous God, and that he will require of modern Israel as he did of ancient Israel, that they obey his law. For all who live upon the earth is this sacred history traced by the pen of inspiration.” -{ST, May 27, 1880 par. 11}

6. Conclusion

                                                              i.      Is God’s last day church perfect yet?  Has God’s law been done away with?  Are we exempt from the penalties exacted by the breaking of God’s law?  Have the earthly penalties for breaking God’s law been done away with?  Was Moses’ exempt from the penalty when he broke God’s command?  Could the iniquity of the generation of 1848-1888 been visited unto the fourth generation?  Could the iniquity of the generation of 1888 have been visited unto the third generation?  Could it be that our iniquity in the area of unbelief and idolatry has been visited unto the third and fourth generations?  Remember what the angel said while comparing modern Israel to ancient Israel, “Ye have done worse than they.”  Has the penalty for idolatry changed since God spoke it from Mount Sinai?    Could it be that the Lord is about to take matters into His hands?  Could it be that the final events may begin soon?

13. Four Times
    1. Jesus Pleads His Blood, and the Hold Command is Given Four Times

                                                              i.      Reviewing this quote - “I saw four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and were on their way to accomplish it. Jesus was clothed with priestly garments. He gazed in pity on the remnant, then raised His hands, and with a voice of deep pity cried, "My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!" Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from God, who sat upon the great white throne, and was shed all about Jesus. Then I saw an angel with a commission from Jesus, swiftly flying to the four angels who had a work to do on the earth, and waving something up and down in his hand, and crying with a loud voice, "Hold! Hold! Hold! Hold! until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.”  {EW 38.1}

1.      Jesus pleads His blood here to His father on the part of the remnant.  We know that this happened just prior to 1888, because Sunday-laws were introduced and as the HOLD! command was given they were annulled.

                                                           ii.      R. MACKIN Also Noted Jesus Pleading “Four Times”

1.      “R. MACKIN: SATAN WANTS TO HINDER THIS WORK. WE ARE SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE. I PRESENT IT FROM EARLY WRITINGS WHEN THE ANGELS ARE ABOUT TO LOOSE THE FOUR WINDS, JESUS GAZES IN PITY ON THE REMNANT, AND WITH UPLIFTED HANDS CRIES, "MY BLOOD, FATHER, MY BLOOD, MY BLOOD, MY BLOOD!" HE REPEATS IT FOUR TIMES; FOR HIS PEOPLE ARE STILL UNSEALED. HE COMMISSIONS AN ANGEL TO FLY SWIFTLY TO THE FOUR ANGELS HOLDING THE FOUR WINDS, WITH THE MESSAGE, "HOLD! HOLD! HOLD! HOLD! UNTIL THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE SEALED IN THEIR FOREHEADS." AND AS I BRING THESE THINGS BEFORE THE CONGREGATION IT IS THE MOST EARNEST AND DEVOTED ONES THAT IT SEEMS TO AFFECT, MOSTLY.”  {3SM 370.5}

                                                         iii.      Conclusion

1.      Could Jesus be pleading His blood here for not only the generation of 1848-1888, but could He also be pleading His blood for the next three generations?  Four times Jesus cried “MY BLOOD!” Four times the angel cried “HOLD!”

2. The Disciples Fell Asleep Four Times

                                                              i.      Jesus Asks His Disciples to Watch and Pray

1.      “He desired them to spend the night with Him in prayer.” … “Tarry ye here,” He said, “and watch with Me.”  {DA 686.1&2}

                                                           ii.      The Disciples Sleep #1

1.      “Rising with painful effort, He staggered to the place where He had left His companions. But He "findeth them asleep.”  {DA 688.1}

                                                         iii.      Jesus Attempts to Wake The Disciples #1

1.      “The disciples awakened at the voice of Jesus, but they hardly knew Him, His face was so changed by anguish. Addressing Peter, Jesus said, "Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.”  {DA 689.2}

                                                         iv.      The Disciples Sleep #2

1.      “When Jesus came to them, He found them still sleeping.”  {DA 690.1}

                                                            v.      Jesus Attempts to Wake The Disciples #2

1.      “Again He had felt a longing for companionship, for some words from His disciples which would bring relief, and break the spell of darkness that well-nigh overpowered Him. But their eyes were heavy; “neither wist they what to answer Him.” His presence aroused them.” Isa. 52:14.  {DA 690.1}

                                                         vi.      The Disciples Sleep #3

1.      “The sleeping disciples had been suddenly awakened by the light surrounding the Saviour.”  {DA 694.2}

                                                       vii.      Jesus Attempts to Wake The Disciples #3

1.      “The sleeping disciples had been suddenly awakened by the light surrounding the Saviour.”  {DA 694.2}

                                                    viii.      The Disciples Sleep #4

1.       “Again the disciples in their weariness yield to the strange stupor that overpowers them. Again Jesus finds them sleeping.”  {DA 694.2}

2.      “Looking sorrowfully upon them He says, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”  {DA 694.3}

                                                          ix.      Jesus Wakes The Disciples #4 - The Betrayal & Angry Mob

1.      “Even as He spoke these words, He heard the footsteps of the mob in search of Him, and said, “Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray Me.”  {DA 694.4}

3. Conclusion

                                                              i.      Not only might Jesus have been especially pleading His blood for the last several generations, but in more than one place the Bible pictures God’s last day church sleeping just before the time of the end.  Jesus asked the disciples to watch and pray.  Could it be that just as the disciples did, that four “times” we have fallen asleep rather than watching and praying?  Could it finally be that the only thing that will wake a sleeping church is an angry mob?  Could it be that just as Christ was betrayed and given a false trial and then finally a death sentence that God’s last day people are about to be betrayed, given a false trial, and finally have a death sentence ordered?

14. The Promise to Abraham & the Iniquity of the Amorites
    1. The Fourth Generation

                                                              i.      “⁸And he (Abraham) said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” (the Promised Land)… “¹⁵Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. ¹⁶But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” –Genesis 15:8,15-16

2. Conclusion

                                                              i.      God promised Abraham that in the fourth generation the Israelites were to return to inherit the land of Canaan!  Could it be that in the fourth generation that modern Israel will begin the journey between the “angry … waters” of the Jordan {PP 484.1}, the beginning of the final events with our destination being heavenly Canaan?

15. The Life of Moses
    1. Moses as a Type

                                                              i.      “Moses represents a class who will call sin by its right name; a class that will give no place to sin and wrong, but will purge it from among them.” {ST, May 27, 1880 par. 5}

                                                           ii.      Moses is a “Type” of all those who die in faith before Christ’s return, keeping the three angels message.  But might he be more specifically a type of the generations since 1888, who because of disobedience are not allowed to directly cross the Jordan, but are hid in the grave during the time of trouble to be resurrected just prior to Christ’s return?

                                                         iii.       “God saw fit to discipline Moses in the school of affliction and poverty before he could be prepared to lead the hosts of Israel to the earthly Canaan.” {PP 480.1}

2. The 120 Years & 40 Year Lessons of Moses

                                                              i.      Moses Lived 120 Years

1.      “Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended.”  –Deuteronomy 34:7,8

                                                           ii.      40 years – Training for the Palace - Visitation & Encouragement

1.      “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.” –Acts 7:23

2.      “Moses remained at court until he was forty years of age. His thoughts often turned upon the abject condition of his people, and he visited his brethren in their servitude, and encouraged them with the assurance that God would work for their deliverance.” {PP 246.2}

                                                         iii.      40 Years - A Solitary Wilderness Experience - Learning to Walk with God – Faith, Patience, Obedience, & Harmony with God

1.      “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.” –Acts 7:30

2.      “The Lord directed his course, and he found a home with Jethro, the priest and prince of Midian, who was also a worshiper of God. After a time Moses married one of the daughters of Jethro; and here, in the service of his father-in-law, as keeper of his flocks, he remained forty years.” {PP 247.2}

3.      “In slaying the Egyptian, Moses had fallen into the same error so often committed by his fathers, of taking into their own hands the work that God had promised to do. It was not God's will to deliver His people by warfare, as Moses thought, but by His own mighty power, that the glory might be ascribed to Him alone. Yet even this rash act was overruled by God to accomplish His purposes. Moses was not prepared for his great work. He had yet to learn the same lesson of faith that Abraham and Jacob had been taught--not to rely upon human strength or wisdom, but upon the power of God for the fulfillment of His promises. And there were other lessons that, amid the solitude of the mountains, Moses was to receive. In the school of self-denial and hardship he was to learn patience, to temper his passions. Before he could govern wisely, he must be trained to obey. His own heart must be fully in harmony with God before he could teach the knowledge of His will to Israel. By his own experience he must be prepared to exercise a fatherly care over all who needed his help.” {PP 247.3}

4.      “Man would have dispensed with that long period of toil and obscurity, deeming it a great loss of time. But Infinite Wisdom called him who was to become the leader of his people to spend forty years in the humble work of a shepherd. The habits of caretaking, of self-forgetfulness and tender solicitude for his flock, thus developed, would prepare him to become the compassionate, longsuffering shepherd of Israel. No advantage that human training or culture could bestow, could be a substitute for this experience.” {PP 247.4}

5.      “Moses had been learning much that he must unlearn. The influences that had surrounded him in Egypt--the love of his foster mother, his own high position as the king's grandson, the dissipation on every hand, the refinement, the subtlety, and the mysticism of a false religion, the splendor of idolatrous worship, the solemn grandeur of architecture and sculpture--all had left deep impressions upon his developing mind and had molded, to some extent, his habits and character. Time, change of surroundings, and communion with God could remove these impressions. It would require on the part of Moses himself a struggle as for life to renounce error and accept truth, but God would be his helper when the conflict should be too severe for human strength.” {PP 248.1}

6.      “Shut in by the bulwarks of the mountains, Moses was alone with God. The magnificent temples of Egypt no longer impressed his mind with their superstition and falsehood. In the solemn grandeur of the everlasting hills he beheld the majesty of the Most High, and in contrast realized how powerless and insignificant were the gods of Egypt. Everywhere the Creator's name was written. Moses seemed to stand in His presence and to be over-shadowed by His power. Here his pride and self-sufficiency were swept away. In the stern simplicity of his wilderness life, the results of the ease and luxury of Egypt disappeared. Moses became patient, reverent, and humble, "very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth" (Numbers 12:3), yet strong in faith in the mighty God of Jacob.” {PP 248.3}

7.      “As the years rolled on, and he wandered with his flocks in solitary places, pondering upon the oppressed condition of his people, he recounted the dealings of God with his fathers and the promises that were the heritage of the chosen nation, and his prayers for Israel ascended by day and by night. Heavenly angels shed their light around him. Here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote the book of Genesis. The long years spent amid the desert solitudes were rich in blessing, not alone to Moses and his people, but to the world in all succeeding ages.” {PP 251.1}

8.      “It was when Moses stood before God, conscious of his inefficiency, that he was in the very condition in which the Lord could best reveal to him His saving grace. When he had become weak, Christ could reveal to him His power and majesty. The Lord could do little through him when he was the general of armies. He knew that he was the chosen of God, and that he would do a great and special work in delivering the Hebrew nation from bondage; but he sought to do his work in his own way, trusting in his zeal and violence. The Lord did not propose to do the work in this way. For forty years Moses was placed in the wilderness, to learn in the school of poverty, to learn in the walks of humble life, that he was weak, inefficient, helpless. He left the court of Egypt with a full knowledge of its fascinations, and had to come down to the simplicity of pastoral life. As a shepherd, it was necessary for him to look after the flock, to leave the ninety and nine in the valley and to go in search of the wandering sheep. He had to climb the mountain steep, to search through the tangled brushwood, to look over the precipices, that he might find the lost. … “ {SW 23.2}

                                                         iv.      40 years – Wandering in the Wilderness of Sin – Leadership & Patience

It can be noted that Moses sinned by striking the rock in anger after the age of 80. (PP 246.2, 247.2 & Acts 7:23, 7:30)

1.      “He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.” –Acts 7:36

                                                            v.      The End of the 120 Years of Moses – The Law Repeated

1.      “Before relinquishing his position as the visible leader of Israel, Moses was directed to rehearse to them the history of their deliverance from Egypt and their journeyings in the wilderness, and also to recapitulate the law spoken from Sinai. When the law was given, but few of the present congregation were old enough to comprehend the awful solemnity of the occasion. As they were soon to pass over Jordan and take possession of the Promised Land, God would present before them the claims of His law and enjoin upon them obedience as the condition of prosperity.”  {PP 463.2}

a.      Thought - Moses erred when he disobeyed God. And since obedience was a condition to enter the Promised Land, he was not allowed to cross through the waters of the Jordan.  Could it be that in our modern disobedience we have repeated this experience with the penalty being the same?  Could it be that very soon the law might be repeated as the final test comes upon God’s people?

                                                         vi.      The Law Repeated for the Last Generation

1.      The Law Repeated (Chapter 42) - “The more deeply to impress these truths upon all minds, the great leader embodied them in sacred verse. This song was not only historical, but prophetic. While it recounted the wonderful dealings of God with His people in the past, it also foreshadowed the great events of the future, the final victory of the faithful when Christ shall come the second time in power and glory. The people were directed to commit to memory this poetic history, and to teach it to their children and children's children. It was to be chanted by the congregation when they assembled for worship, and to be repeated by the people as they went about their daily labors. It was the duty of parents to so impress these words upon the susceptible minds of their children that they might never be forgotten.” {PP 467.4}

2.      “In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored.”  {PK 678.2}

3. Conclusion - Moses’ Example Compared to Our Generations

                                                              i.      Moses is a type or example of our last three generations that have erred because of their unbelief. They are clearly represented by the 120 years that Moses lived. However, we can see that they will most likely take part in the “first” repeating of the law, which is represented today by the “rebuilding of the wall,” the lifting up of God’s law before the world as the United States legislates and begins to enforce National Sunday worship laws. While this group of people are not part of the 144,000 that cross to the other side of the “angry … waters” of the Jordan – the small and great time of trouble--, if faithful they can claim the promise that they will be resurrected at the second coming just as Moses was resurrected and taken to Heaven!

1.      “Many will be laid away to sleep before the fiery ordeal of the time of trouble shall come upon our world.” -CH 375 (1897).  {LDE 255.2}

16. The Last Watch
    1. Jesus Walks on the Sea

                                                              i.      “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.” -Matthew 14:25

2. Watch Always

                                                              i.      “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” -Mark 13:35, 36

                                                           ii.      “And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” -Mark 13:37 KJV

3. The Last Watch

                                                              i.      Chapter 48 - The Last Watch – “I saw that watch after watch was in the past. Because of this, should there be a lack of vigilance? Oh, no! There is the greater necessity of unceasing watchfulness, for now the moments are fewer than before the passing of the first watch. . . . If we watched with unabated vigilance then, how much more need of double watchfulness in the second watch. The passing of the second watch has brought us to the third, and now it is inexcusable to abate our watchfulness. The third watch calls for threefold earnestness. To become impatient now would be to lose all our earnest, persevering watching heretofore. The long night of gloom is trying; but the morning is deferred in mercy, because if the Master should come, so many would be found unready. God's unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay. . . .  {Mar 56.3} {2T 193.3}

4. Conclusion

                                                              i.      “Watch after watch was in the past”?  Why not one long watch?  The second watch has passed?  The first watch was obviously 1844.  Could the second watch have ended in 1888?  Ellen White sees herself in the “now” of the third watch.  Where is the fourth watch?   Could there be a fifth and last watch?  As the test over the Sabbath begins, could this be when Jesus, just as in Joshua’s day, but in the form of the Holy Spirit & the Latter Rain comes down to direct the battle? (Joshua 5:14)

1.      “Now the Saviour's eye penetrates the future; ... His prophetic glance takes in the experience of His servants through all the ages till He shall come the second time. He shows His followers the conflicts they must meet; He reveals the character and plan of the battle. He lays open before them the perils they must encounter, the self-denial that will be required. … They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord's host, comes down to direct the battle.”  {DA 352.2}

17. The Example of Nehemiah While Rebuilding the Wall
    1. Five Times Messengers Were Sent to Nehemiah

                                                              i.      “¹Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), ²that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.  ³So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”  ⁴But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.  ⁵Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. ⁶In it was written:  It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, that you may be their king. ⁷And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.” –Nehemiah 6:3-7

2. Conclusion

                                                              i.      Could it be that in the “fifth time,” as God’s people are rebuilding the wall that the laws of the land change and perception among the nations begins to change as the question begins to be asked whether God’s people are worthy of a decree of treason against the laws of the land?  Satan always reserves the charge of treason against the land for those who obey God’s law regardless of the consequences.  Could it be that this may happen very soon?  Are you prepared for the final test?

18. Do you love me?
    1. Peter Denies Jesus – Three Times

                                                              i.      “⁶⁹Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” ⁷⁰But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” ⁷¹And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁷²But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” ⁷³And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” ⁷⁴Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.” –Matthew 26:69-75

2. Jesus tests Peter’s Faithfulness – Three Times

                                                              i.      “¹⁵When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."  ¹⁶He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." ¹⁷He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.” –John 21:15-17

3. Conclusion - Could Jesus be asking us today, for the last time, “Do you love me?”

                                                              i.      We know that our previous generations have failed the Lord.  This is evident by Ellen White’s writings.  I believe that just as Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?”, after he denied the Lord, so Jesus has been asking each generation of his people since 1888, “Do you love me?”  Now Jesus is asking us, the final generation, one last time, “Do you love me?”  What is your response?  Will we harden our hearts like ancient Israel and be eternally lost?  Or, will you soften your heart and cooperate with heaven in finishing the work?  “Do you love me?”

19. The Delay Ended
    1. There is a Limit!

                                                              i.      “There is a limit beyond which the judgments of Jehovah can no longer be delayed.”  {PK 417 (c. 1914)}  {LDE 40.5}

1.      Could this limit be shortly after the end of the fourth generation?  Could this limit be shortly after the end of the 120 years of warning since 1888?

2. The End of This Limit = The Final Events

                                                              i.      “God allows men a period of probation; but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted, and the judgments of God are sure to follow. The Lord bears long with men, and with cities, mercifully giving warnings to save them from divine wrath; but a time will come when pleadings for mercy will no longer be heard, and the rebellious element that continues to reject the light of truth will be blotted out, in mercy to themselves and to those who would otherwise be influenced by their example.” {PK 276.3}

3. The End of this Limit = Sunday Laws

                                                              i.      3SM, Chap. 55 – Lessons from Meeting Sunday Law Crisis of the Late 1880’s and Early 1990’s
“In the exercise of the longsuffering of God, He gives to nations a certain period of probation, but there is a point which, if they pass, there will be the visitation of God in His indignation. He will punish. The world has been advancing from one degree of contempt for God's law to another, and the prayer may be appropriate at this time, "It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.” (Ps. 119:126)  {3SM 396.3}

1.      When is the point passed by the nations that closes their period of probation?  It is when “they have made void thy Law.” Remember National Apostasy will be swiftly followed by National Ruin!

4. The End of this Limit = National Ruin

                                                              i.      “A time is coming when the law of God is, in a special sense, to be made void in our land. The rulers of our nation will, by legislative enactments, enforce the Sunday law, and thus God's people be brought into great peril. When our nation, in its legislative councils, shall enact laws to bind the consciences of men in regard to their religious privileges, enforcing Sunday observance, and bringing oppressive power to bear against those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath, the law of God will, to all intents and purposes, be made void in our land; and national apostasy will be followed by national ruin.” (RH Dec. 18, 1888)  {7BC 977.2}

1.      Incidentally if you are seeing national economic ruin looming on the horizon, food and fuel prices skyrocketing worldwide, and our coins being minted in steel, then it’s a pretty good assumption you are going to see National Sunday Laws very soon!  Are you READY?  Are you hiding in Jesus?

5. Genesis 6:3 (& the 120 Years of Extended Probation) Directly Tied to the Limit of Forbearance

                                                              i.      “The Lord is teaching men that there are limits to His forbearance. In fires, in floods, in earthquakes, in the fury of the great deep, in calamities by sea and by land, the warning is given that God's Spirit will not always strive with men. (Gen. 6:3)  The times in which we live are times of great depravity and crime of every degree. Why?--because men whom God has blessed and favored have reduced His holy law to a dead letter, making void the law of God by the traditions and inventions of the man of sin. A more-than-common contempt is put upon the commandments of God, while the representative men of the Colonies have exalted the first day of the week to be observed by all men. They would have men bow down and worship it, as did Nebuchadnezzar when he exalted the golden image in the plains of Dura. When wickedness comes to this pass, it is fast reaching its height. Well may the prayer go forth from the people of God, calling for His interference, "It is time for Thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void Thy law.“  {Ms 127, 1897}, {3MR 315.1}

1.      “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also [is] flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” –Genesis 6:3

6. The Fourth Generation Directly Tied to the Limit of God’s Forbearance

                                                              i.      “God promised Abraham's posterity the land of Canaan; but centuries must pass before they could enter upon their possession, "In the fourth generation, they shall come hither again, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." The Amorites inhabiting the land of Canaan, were gradually bringing upon themselves the righteous judgments of God by their iniquity. When it was fully settled that they would not be brought under the control of God's government, and when they gave themselves up to work iniquity, bringing themselves to the most conspicuous idolatry, yet God spared them, for the full measure of guilt marking them for his vengeance, had not been reached. The iniquity of the Amorites must reach its fullness before God would send forth his mandate to destroy utterly. In the fourth generation God dispossessed them to make room for his people.  Here we see the long suffering of God; he allows nations a certain probation, but there is a point where their accumulated guilt will meet its punishment. Those who would make void God's law, advance from one degree of wickedness to another. Children would inherit from their parents the wicked, rebellious spirit against God and his law, and would go to greater extent in wickedness than their fathers before them until the wrath of God breaks forth upon them. The punishment was none the less certain because long delayed. God would have us take these lessons to heart. He would have us see the principle of divine justice in his dealings, and have us understand that a record is kept of the impieties and law breaking of any people and nation with the unerring accuracy of an infinite God. Although the measure of iniquity is filling up, God still bears, he gives additional opportunities and advantages, calling to repentance and proffering pardon. Yet if they continue to refuse light, and heed not the warnings of God, his divine justice will not always bear; for these are a blot, a stain upon his universe; their iniquity will corrupt all connected with them and become wide-spread.”  {ST, June 10, 1880 par. 2}

                                                           ii.       Testimonies for the Church v5, Ch. 24 - The Seal of God
“Of the Amorites the Lord said: "In the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." Although this nation was conspicuous because of its idolatry and corruption, it had not yet filled up the cup of its iniquity, and God would not give command for its utter destruction. The people were to see the divine power manifested in a marked manner, that they might be left without excuse. The compassionate Creator was willing to bear with their iniquity until the fourth generation. Then, if no change was seen for the better, His judgments were to fall upon them.”  {5T 208.1} 

1.      Thought - What does the fourth generation in history have to do with the Seal of God, and the judgments falling? Could it be that at the end of the fourth generation after our red sea experience that we will see the forbearance of God exhausted, and the long awaited crisis will begin, the Seal of God will be received by all who are willing, and then the judgments to fall just a short time later?

7. Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready!

                                                              i.      “Then I saw [that] the judgments of Almighty God were speedily coming. I begged of the angel to speak in his language to the people. Said he, "All the thunders and lightnings of Mount Sinai cannot move those who will not be moved by the plain truths in the Word of God. Neither would an angel's message move or awake them." I saw that the rebels must and will be purged out. The angel said, "Get ready, get ready, get ready."  {16MR 32.4}      I saw that the judgments were just upon us, and that the trouble would soon be to this land, and that blood would flow in streams. The angel said,"It will soon be even to the horses' bridles." That was an awful time.”  {16MR 33.1}

1.      Three times the angel said “get ready.” Could this represent the 120 years or 3 generations, that give the warning message from 1888 to 2008?  Could this point to a soon beginning of the Seven Thundering events of Revelation 10 and the “rebels” being purged out, just before the great time of trouble and the judgments being just upon us?

20. Write the Vision & Make it Plain - Putting the Pieces Together

     “Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”  –Habakkuk 2:2-3

“We may have to remain here in this world because of insubordination many more years, as did the children of Israel, but for Christ's sake His people should not add sin to sin by charging God with the consequence of their own wrong course of action.” --Ev 695, 696 (1901).  {LDE 39.1}

1. Layout of Dates & Generations
2. Charts

The next chart was printed by Elder A. M. Dart in 1929.  It was most likely drawn up just prior to, or in 1928.  It can be found on page 46 in a 1929 pamphlet titled “God’s Last Effort to Awaken His People” that is now being reprinted by Justified Walk and is available on the web at www.JustifiedWalk.com/Gods_Last_Effort.htm  It is our belief that had Elder Dart lived to our day his chart most likely would look strikingly similar to the ones we have created on the next several pages.  In this early chart you can clearly see the importance of the years we have used to delineate the beginning of the third and fourth generations.  The only thing missing is the 120 years and the three generations, but had he lived through them they most likely would have been noted.

3. God’s Clock is Always Right on Time

                                                              i.      Have we been living in an “extended probation of 120 years” just as in Noah’s day?  If we have been living in an “extended probation of 120 years” just as in Noah’s day,…  Might we see the beginnings of National Sunday Law legislation in the United States of America very soon; approximately 120 years of warning after they were almost enacted on May 21st, 1888, and approximately 120 years of warning after the four angels almost let go of the four winds, and after four prior unfaithful generations since 1848?  If these things are so, What are we going to do with the time we have left?

4. What are we going to do with the time we have left?

                                                              i.      Finish the Work?

Will we earnestly labor to finish the work or will we do exactly what has been prophesied?

1.           “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. … This day is just before us. …” {5T 463.2}

                                                           ii.      What the Terrible Crisis Is

1.           “Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.” --5T 711, 753 (1889)

                                                         iii.      Delay No Longer – Earnest Labor

1.           “My brother, my sister, ponder these things, I beseech you. You have each a work to do. … I urge you to arouse. Delay no longer. The day is almost spent. The westering sun is about sinking forever from your sight. Yet while the blood of Christ is pleading, you may find pardon. Summon every energy of the soul, employ the few remaining hours in earnest labor for God and for your fellow men.”  {5T 463.3}

2.      Thought - Friends, I warn you in the fear of the Lord that if we don’t put away our disobedient, idolatrous, backsliding, lukewarm, Laodicean attitude and quit refusing to finish the work, then the Lord will make the rocks and stones cry out.  If He can create worlds, command the stars and weather, make a donkey talk and bring water from a desert rock then surely He can make the rocks and stones cry out!

5. Why Did You Not Warn Us?

                                                              i.      “I heard someone say: "We knew that the judgments of God were coming upon the earth, but we did not know that they would come so soon." Others, with agonized voices, said: "You knew! Why then did you not tell us? We did not know." On every side I heard similar words of reproach spoken.”  {9T 28.1}

6. Waiting for You!

                                                              i.      “Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents--the members of the church--to co-operate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you. So vast is the field, so comprehensive the design, that every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an instrument of divine power.”  {RH, November 24, 1904 par. 11}

Conclusion & Call

Are you ready for the monumental events that could open before us very soon?  Would you live differently if National Sunday Laws were legislated?  Are you striving to develop a Christ-like character?  Have you made Jesus your friend?  I would submit to you that if you wait for Sunday Laws to make decisions like this, you may be fitting yourself to be swept away by the tide of popular opinion.

Friends, think about this, that scroll that the angel was waving up and down had your name on it!  Next to your name, stamped in Jesus own blood were the words “HOLD!” It was for your sake the command was given, “… Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” -Revelation 7:3 KJV

Today, Jesus is waiting for you.  Jesus loves you so much that, just as in Noah and Joshua’s days, He has extended time so that you might draw closer to Him and then finish the work.

You see, “God's unwillingness to have His people perish has been the reason for so long delay.” {2T 193.3}

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” –John 3:16

It seems fairly evident from this study and world events that the final events are very near, “even at the doors.”  But patiently the Lord has been waiting.  He is waiting for you.  The only question that remains is, what will you do with the time you have left?  Let’s seek the Lord today while He may be found and finish this work!

“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” –Luke 21:28

Final Note

A couple weeks before the release of this book we went down to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend my 15 year class reunion for academy.  My wife was doing most of the driving as I am now working full time during the week and have been pressing hard in my free time to finish up our series on the final events.  I was getting very near completion of this book, "The Sealing Time Delayed," and had already completed and edited the rough draft printout.  It was at this point on the way back we were driving through the desert in Nevada.  My laptop battery was beginning to get low as the inverter sometimes can't always keep up with the power demands, so I shut the laptop down for a while and decided to take a nap.  I leaned the seat back and dozed off for about an hour. 

I awoke to my wife asking me a question about the exit we needed to take in Winnemucca to head north to our home.  I was a bit groggy and not really awake yet when a white car sped past us.  It was then that I saw the sign!  I used to be a medical first responder and have a habit of looking at license plates.  I couldn't believe what I had just seen.  I sat bolt upright and was now WIDE AWAKE.  I quickly turned to my wife Kelly and said, "Catch up to that car!"  I guess I must have had a certain tone in my voice because she didn't question me at all, but hit the gas.  Now we were driving our little 3 cylinder Geo Metro so this was not an easy proposition to catch up to a speeding car, but I had just rebuilt the top of the engine last week so the car finally decided to get going.  I frantically looked around for the digital camera to take the picture.  Kelly asked me, What is going on?"  I said, "I want a picture of that license plate!"  She asked me, "Why, what does it say?"  To which I replied, "SUNDAY!"  Realizing the enormity of the sign, Kelly looked at me and said, "You're KIDDING!"  And I said, "NO, IT SAYS SUNDAY!"  We finally caught up to the car and I took the picture exactly 1 mile west of Winnemucca, NV on I80.  We have inserted the picture below to share with all.  (I cropped it down to just the car, but we have three full size photos of the car.)

SUNDAY is coming, and faster than we expect!

Was it a coincidence?

• That I was just finishing up this book about Sunday Laws coming soon?
• That a car from Oregon was in the middle of Nevada at just the right time that I’d see it?
• That Kelly woke me up just at the right time to see it pass?
• That I happened to look at the license plate?
• That the car passed at just the right time before we exited the highway?
• Or that it said SUNDAY?

I THINK NOT!

    This is just the latest in a series of "coincidences" like this that have happened all throughout the writing of this book/presentation.  And as if that wasn't enough, here's another interesting photo below that we took that same weekend.  Anyone remember the 1260 years of Papal Supremacy called the dark ages?  I found this photo a little more than ironic.  If you ask me, I think persecution is coming soon too.  I found this sign on both a billboard and a bus stop in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jesus is coming soon friends!  Get ready!

Contemplation Quotes

After I had presented this presentation on Sabbath, May 17^th, 2008, I came home and was doing a little research and was completely shocked when I found the following quote:

“A company was presented before me in contrast to the one described. They were waiting and watching. Their eyes were directed heavenward, and the words of their Master were upon their lips: "What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping." The Lord intimates a delay before the morning finally dawns. But He would not have them give way to weariness, nor relax their earnest watchfulness, because the morning does not open upon them as soon as they expected. The waiting ones were represented to me as looking upward. They were encouraging one another by repeating these words: "The first and second watches are past. We are in the third watch, waiting and watching for the Master's return. There remains but a little period of watching now." I saw some becoming weary; their eyes were directed downward, and they were engrossed with earthly things, and were unfaithful in watching. They were saying: "In the first watch we expected our Master, but were disappointed. We thought surely He would come in the second watch, but that passed, and He came not. We may be again disappointed. We need not be so particular. He may not come in the following watch. We are in the third watch, and now we think it best to lay up our treasure on the earth, that we may be secure against want." Many were sleeping, stupefied with the cares of this life and allured by the deceitfulness of riches from their waiting, watching position.”  {2T 192.1}

     “Angels were represented to me as looking on with intense interest to mark the appearance of the weary yet faithful watchers, lest they be too sorely tried, and sink under the toil and hardships made doubly severe because their brethren had been diverted from their watch, and become drunk with worldly cares and beguiled by worldly prosperity. These heavenly angels grieved that those who were once watching should, by their indolence and unfaithfulness, increase the trial and burdens of those who were earnestly and perseveringly endeavoring to maintain their waiting, watching position.”  {2T 193.1}

“Those who are watching for the Lord are purifying their souls by obedience to the truth. With vigilant watching they combine earnest working. Because they know that the Lord is at the door, their zeal is quickened to co-operate with the divine intelligences in working for the salvation of souls. These are the faithful and wise servants who give to the Lord's household "their portion of meat in due season." Luke 12:42. They are declaring the truth that is now specially applicable. As Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for his time, so will Christ's servants now give the special warning for their generation.”  {DA 634.2}

We used every one of these verses/quotes in the book/presentation!  From the very beginning of this book I have felt the Holy Spirit’s guiding and prompting.  I am by no means a perfect person, but I recognize my Lord when He’s near.  I love Jesus, and it is my prayer that you will find in Him a best friend and Savior.  Won’t you accept Him today?

Appendix

“Third and Fourth Generations” mentioned in the Bible

• “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 KJV
• “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” –Exodus 34:7 KJV
• “The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” –Numbers 14:18 KJV
• “Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto 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,” –Deuteronomy 5:9 KJV

“Third Generation” Mentioned in the Bible

•  “And Joseph saw Ephraim's children of the third generation: the children also of Machir the son of Manasseh were brought up upon Joseph's knees.” -Genesis 50:23 KJV

• “The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.” -Deuteronomy 23:8 KJV

“Fourth Generation” Mentioned in the Bible

(third and fourth generation search excluded)

• “But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”  -Genesis 15:16 KJV

• “And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel.” -2 Kings 10:30 KJV

• “This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the fourth generation. And so it came to pass.” -2 Kings 15:12 KJV