IN TIMES OF GRIEF OR LOSS

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:11).

WHAT IS DEATH?

When we die, we become:

- useless

- unfruitful

- stagnant

- unedifying

"For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun."

"Whatsoever they hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 & 10)

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man (a human being), in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." (Psalm 146:3,4)

WRAPPED UP: THE BOOK OF ENDINGS

The last book of the Holy Bible begins, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ..." (Chapter 1: verse 1).

Eight key themes, which are woven into the whole bible (old testament and new testament Scriptures, are summarized in Revelation Chapter 1. Interestingly, they all begin with "S":

SCRIPTURE (see verses 1-3) - The Bible and the Bible only (Sola Scriptura); "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17); "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15);>"...the truth of the Lord endureth forever..." (Psalm 117:2).

SALVATION (see verses 4-6) - "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16); "Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live..." (Ezekiel 33:11).

SECOND COMING (see verses 7-8) - "...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again* and receive you unto myself: that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:2,3).

*He didn't say that we would go to meet Him before He returns (see 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17)

SABBATH (see verse 10) - "And on the seventh day God ended his work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all his work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all his work which God created and made" (Genesis 2:2,3); also see Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 58:13,14; Hebrews 11:1-4 & Revelation 14:7.

SANCTUARY (see verses 12-13) - "Thy way O Lord is in the Sanctuary, who is so great a God as our God" (Psalms 77:13); [Everything in the Jewish Sanctuary and its corresponding services pointed forward to Jesus Christ and the mystery of SALVATION]

STATE OF THE DEAD (verses 17,18) - "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23); Death is a sleep (see Job 7:9,10,21; The dead know not anything (see Ecclesiastes 9:5); The righteous dead will be raised at the SECOND COMING of Christ, before the 1000 years, to receive their reward [life without end], and the wicked dead will be raised after the 1000 year, to receive their reward [death with an end] (see Revelation 20:1-6,14,15).

SPIRIT OF PROPHECY (verse 9) - "The Lord will do nothing but He revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7); "I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily raising and sending them..." (Jeremiah 7:25); also see Revelation 19:10 & 22:9,10.

SAINTS (see verse 20) - "Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24,25); "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" (1 John 4:7,8); also see Luke 6:27,28 and ending at v. 36); "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galations 3:29); "...that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through* Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:14).

*And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:2,3).

Look up the fascination Geneologies of:

Judah (the son of Israel) to David, the King (Ruth 4:12-22)
Abraham to Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:1-17)
Jesus to Adam (the first man made in the image of God)(Luke 3:23-38)

THE HOUR OF HIS JUDGEMENT HAS COME

****ANNOUNCEMENT*****

You are personally invited to take time to attend an Evangelistic Series: REVELATION OF HOPE

Tonight at 7pm

Tonight's topic: What Happens when we die?

Hyattsville Seventh-day Adventist Church
4905 42nd Place
Hyattsville, MD 20871
301-318-0133 (Pastor)

301-927-2080 (for directions after 6pm)

Last few topics:

Yesterday morning we learned what is a cult. We also learned in the evening what the 2300 day prophecy in Daniel 8:14 means and it's link to the Jewish Sanctuary services. Tonight we will learn what happens after death. These lectures have been powerful and life-changing.

All the lectures are rooted in the book of Revelation. This book is no longer a mystery with mystic creatures or events. The fear and confusion is being taken away as truth is revealed and believed.


Forgive me, but I don't know the exact title of each lecture. Mario Torres just gives us what the subject matter will be.

Series continutes until November 14th at 7pm (Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays*

*there are two lectures on Saturdays, 11am and 7pm

THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS

HERE IS THE PATIENCE OF THE SAINTS: HERE ARE THEY THAT KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, AND THE FAITH OF JESUS (Revelation 14:12); See Rev. 12:17.

The Lord has ordained a special people to be a spiritual Israel for our time. In Deuteronomy 7:6, Moses records, speaking to the Israelites, "for thou art a holy [set apart] people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people [treasure] unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." [read to verse 11]

Why were the children of Israel special?

They would be the nation through whom Jesus Christ, the Messiah and Redeemer of mankind would come. Genesis 12:2,3 tells us, God speaking to Abraham, "And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing; and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

There are two characteristics that distinguish God's special people. Revelation 12:17 tell us "And the dragon was wroth [enraged] with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant [rest of her offspring] of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." [see Rev. 19:10]

In your searching for spiritual Israel, seek for a people who teachings have the same components that the physical Israelites have. These are all summarized in Revelation Chapter 1:

SALVATION (The Messiah, Jesus Christ, as the only way to the Father)
SCRIPTURES (God's inspired word to us and mirror of His character)
SPIRIT OF PROPHECY (God's guiding servants of reproof and instruction)
SECOND COMING (The eminent return of our Lord)
SABBATH (The day God sanctified as a memorial of His work during creation week)
SANCTUARY (The Jewish temple services that pointed to the Messiah)
STATE OF THE DEAD (What happens when a person dies)
SAINTS (The living servants of the Lord and their ministry on His behalf)

Since the Word of God is from the source of truth, it must be studied "precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" (Isaiah 28:10). There is no contradiction in the Lord. Any seeming contradiction is in our misunderstanding. God's word make absolute sense. No prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation (see 2 Peter 1:19-21).

YOUR LOVED ONES ARE NOT IN HEAVEN NOW

It's the most comforting thought to believe that our parents, children, grandparents, friends, etc., who have died, are in Heaven. And it's even more assuring to think that they are there now.

Truth be known, that is not the case. Except for the exceptions that the Word gives (Moses, Enoch, Elijah, etc.) we're assured that they are resting in peace in the grave. Their death is referred to a sleep as in the case of Lazarus (see John 11, the whole chapter). The truth is, the Lord is very clear about this subject and gives numerous evidences of this fact.


"For in death there is no remembrance of thee; in the grave, who shall give thee thanks?" (Psalm 6:5)--We have no remembrance of God in the grave nor can we thank him for anything or roll over in our graves if something troubling occurs among the living.

For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6)

So man lieth down and riseth not: til the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of sleep. (Job 10:12)

His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, and he perceiveth it not of them. (Job 10:21)--We won't perceive who visits our grave site, if our spouses have re-married, if our children have accepted the Lord or turned from Him, if a black man became president of the United States or if America, Canada and Mexico ever became one nation.

They praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. (Psalm 115:17)--Would there be true praising in Heaven if they are there and they see us suffering still in this world of sin?

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28,29).

HELL IS NOT BURNING TODAY

This was one of the most liberating truths. The wicked won't burn forever. If the Devil, who is the epitomy of evil will be devoured by fire and consumed, how much moreso those who have lived for 120 years tops?

God is not sadistic. That is not His Character. Why will be burn Hitler for ever and the 30 year old guy who didn't get around to accepting Christ as Savior? God is just and fair. This doctrine of everlasting burning in Hellfire is a false doctrine that does not line up with scripture.

The effects of Hell (when the earth is cleansed by fire and sin, sinners, the Devil and his evil angels are burned up) is what is everlasting. Not the punishment--the effects.

Study this out from God's word. The truth will set you free.

HALLOWEEN AND THE OCCULT (A True Story)

Witchcraft is very real but greatly misunderstood.

I know because witchcraft goes back on the paternal side of my family for over five generations to Chesterfield, Massachusetts in 1770.My great grandmother became a well-known witch in Wisconsin in the early days of this century. Caroline was a blind witch and used her fingers to read palms and also became adept at putting “the hex” on people.

Many spooky things would happen in our family. Dishes would slide off from shelves, light bulbs would unscrew and fall to the floor, filmy apparitions would appear and vanish, and this sort of thing became a way of life.In one instance, my father was riding with my grandfather in a horse-drawn wagon, when a filmy white apparition appeared in front of the horse, causing the horse to rear up on its hind legs. Surrounded by electrifying fear, my grandfather cracked the whip and the wagon lurched forward and on its way.My father also watched in stunned amazement when, on another occasion, an unhitched wagon loaded with hay went up a steep hill by itself.

Halloween was a special time for me, as I was growing up in Clintonville, Wisconsin. I had given my heart and soul to that day called “Samhain” (pronounced Sow-en). I had learned that the pagan Sabot of Samhain was a time when the barrier between the mundane and astral planes was very thin and departed spirits easily crossed over.’I also learned that the Roman Catholic Church copied and re-named all of the eight sabbots. Not only had Samhain become Halloween, but the Winter Solstice became Christmas, Imbolg became Candlemass, Beltaine became May Day, and Lughnasadh became Lammas.The vernal equinox was celebrated as Easter, which is always the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.

Halloween was my special time, when I felt drawn to become like my great grandmother. I wasn’t interested in the silliness of the Catholic Halloween. I wanted real magic. The so-called “Christians” were cursing themselves and their children by copying the craft that their tenets forbade. I knew full well that so-called Christians were copying what my spiritual ancestors had done for many centuries.The powerful witches, known as Grand Druids or men of the oaks, that lived in the ancient British Isles gathered at Stonehedge on October 31st. These ancient witches practiced human sacrifice, hollowed out pumpkins and turnips, carving faces in them, and then used candles made from human tallow to illuminate them.The druids played games such as bobbing for apples, as they floated in a tub of October ale. The druids also practiced ritual sex known as the “Great Rite”, as the fires blazed forth in the darkness of the giant stone monoliths of Stonehenge near Salisbury, England.The apple was thought to be sacred, because when cut in half cross-wise, the core would reveal the Pentacle or five pointed star. The five points of this star represented Earth, Wind, Fire, Water and Spirit.

When I was 13 years old, I began to invite the spirits of my deceased great grandmother into myself. Soon I began to acquire powers and became an adept astrologer and palm reader. I also practiced numerology and was becoming a very powerful witch. Many people followed me — and the advice that I gave them. I had achieved a great measure of success.By the time I was 19, I had reached my first goal. I was a powerful witch. Then, very suddenly, the realization hit me that I was making predictions without looking at my charts. I would blurt out predictions in minute detail, and they would come to pass. I became frightfully aware that I had become a sending station and was dispatching spirits to make my predictions come true. I predicted accidents and tragedies, and suddenly I became filled with overwhelming fear.

I did not know it at the time, but a dear old woman had been praying for me every day for a long time. She had known my grandparents, and God used her to pray me out of darkness. I was completely disabled by fear, which God, in His mercy, allowed to come upon me.A friend that I knew in high school persuaded me to come to church with him. It was a small apostolic church. I soon found myself on my knees repenting, as I had now found a power far greater than all witchcraft. One week later I was baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ. The next week I was baptized in the Holy Ghost.I felt fifty pounds lighter, as many evil spirits fled from me as I yielded myself completely to my newfound friend, the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Now I have no fear and am a true minister of the Gospel.

This tract, that you are reading, has been prayed over. Now that you have read it, you will never be the same. You will not be able to get this out of your mind.Most so-called “Christian” churches are phony, but the Lord Jesus is real. Why live in fear and end up in damnation? I can help you! Please write to the address below and we will contact you.With a prayer for you,

David J. Meyer

Last Trumpet Ministries International

PO Box 806

Beaver Dam, WI 53916

http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org

DO YOU LIKE MYSTERIES?

This is not for the family and friends and people who know and who have made a choice either way. This is for those who do not know, those who have never been taught and those who have never studied for themselves. It is essential for you to study, research and investigate for themselves and then make an informed choice whether to accept or reject what is presented.

"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first..." 1 Thessalonians 4:16


Except for the exceptions the bible gives (Moses, Enoch, Elijah, etc.), those who have died in Christ or died believing in Christ and having lived their lives as proof of that belief, do not go straight to Heaven. The bible makes it plain that they sleep until Christ returns to redeem his followers from the earth (see Acts 7:519,60; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23).

So all our loved ones who have died in Christ are asleep. Their spirits returned to God and their remains are in graves, in urns, in water (if they drowned), etc. They are not conscious. There are not in Heaven. They do not return to give you advice or encouragement. They do not go back to their houses (Job 7:9,10). They do not return as another person or animal. They are dead! Asleep or resting as the bible terms it.


These few texts do not convey all that the bible says concerning the death of those who are Christ's. To fully understand the truth about this issue, you have study the Bible believing two things. (1) God does not lie (2) God does not contradict himself, therefore there would be no contradictions* in His Word

*If we find any apparent contradictions, the disparity lies in our understanding, or misunderstanding rather.

Sinners in the hands of an angry God? NOT SO!!

"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11 - Read the whole chapter)

"But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? " (Ezekiel 18:21-23, Read the whole chapter)

Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. Yet saith the house of Israel, The way of the LORD is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways unequal? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. (Ezekiel 18:27-32, Read the whole chapter)

God has two natures

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
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 34:6,7)

Once Saved, Always Saved? No!

"But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die." (Ezekiel 18:24)

CHOOSE YE THIS DAY...

Why is there suffering in the world?
Where did Satan, the devil come from?
What gives people hope today?
Who can save us from our condition today?
When will the battle between God and Satan finally end?
How can we know what is the truth in all the information we hear or read?

Almost everyone has asked at least one of these questions in their lifetime. Begin to get answers to these and other perplexing questions below.

The Great Controversy between Christ and His Angels and Satan and his Angels
by Ellen G. White
**1858 Edition

Chapter Titles 1-10

1. The Fall of Satan
2. The Fall of Man
3. The Plan of Salvation
4. The First Advent of Christ
5. The Ministry of Christ
6. The Transfiguration of Christ
7. The Betrayal of Christ
8. The Trial of Christ
9. The Crucifixion of Christ
10.The Resurrection of Christ

Listen to Chapters 1-10 by clicking the following link:

http://www.audioverse.org/displayrecording/729/EllenGWhite-GreatControversy1858EditionCh1-10

Chapter Titles 11-20

11. The Ascension of Christ
12.The Disciples of Christ
13.The Death of Stephen
14.The Conversion of Saul
15.The Jews Decide to Kill Paul
16.Paul Visited Jerusalem
17.The Great Apostasy
18.Mystery of Iniquity
19.Death, Not Eternal Life in Misery
20.The Reformation

Listen to Chapters 11-20* by clicking the following link:

http://www.audioverse.org/displayrecording/730/EllenGWhite-GreatControversy1858EditionCh11-20

*There are 41 chapters total in this book.

**you may also read along by clicking on the site below
http://theseventhunders.com/Books/1858gc-all.pdf