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As we study about the overwhelming surprise, let us notice the issue that prophecy puts the searchlight on.

Characteristics of a domineering person - Those who depend on men or themselves (not Jesus) to work out their situations - My way or the highway. They rely on intimidation and mind control, and if that doesn't work, outright force - physical. And if that doesn't work, force of law. Laws are passed to insure they get their way. They are the rule-makers and can get downright nasty if their rules are not followed. This leads to self-sufficiency or depending on yourself.

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Understand Prophecy Journalism...

"Turn Key"-Words To Unlock Bible Predictions

An understanding of the hope of Christ's second coming is the key that unlocks all the history that follows, and explains all the future lessons. The truths of prophecy are bound up together, and as we study them, they form a beautiful cluster of practical Christian truth. The second coming of the Son of man is to be the wonderful theme kept before the people. Eternal realities must be kept before the mind's eye, and the attractions of the world will appear as they are, altogether profitless as vanity.

Not infrequently the minds of the people, and even of God's servants, are so blinded by human opinions, the traditions and false teachings of men, that they are able only partially to grasp the great things which He has revealed in His word. Thus it was with the disciples of Christ, even when the Savior was with them in person. Their minds had become imbued with the popular conception of the Messiah as a temporal prince, who was to exalt Israel to the throne of the universal empire, and they could not understand the meaning of His words foretelling His suffering and death.... pp 15-16 Maranantha The Lord Is Coming, by Ellen White, Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976

In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes--those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), to receive "the mark of the beast," yet the people of God will not receive it. The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast The Pure Mark of Truth

Who Receive the Seal? Time of Sealing Soon Over Angels can Read God's Mark

A Sign that Distinguishes God's People Importance and Glory of the Sabbath

The Sabbath is God's Mark Study the Subject of the Sanctuary

The Threefold Union of Religion

Satan and the Threefold Union

The Corruption of Truth

The United States in Prophecy

Persecution by Protestants and Catholics

Persecuted for Christ's Sake

more... { Key Words }
Source: http://egwlists.whiteestate.org/pipermail/devotional/2004/date.html#24

Welcome! You Are Now Entering Your Mission Field!

An assortment of Missionary Tracts which you can download and print freely to distribute.

http://www.harvestimebooks.com/Free-Tracts.htm http://www.harvestimebooks.com/

Those who are depending on men will be forced, literally forced, into submission. This is a very interesting text because it is quite in harmony with the spirit of the present generation. Today in the United States it would be unpopular to advocate a death decree against people who keep Saturday. At the moment the atmosphere is one of the ecumenical spirit, of pulling together for peace. But on the other hand economic sanctions, as they are called, are looked upon as proper coercive weapons. The United Nations has been called upon at various times to enforce sanctions. People are prepared for the idea that if there are those who will not cooperate, perhaps the best way to deal with them is just to cut off their bread and butter - food.

You can see that we, as God's children, are to be prepared. There are two things that we need to get settled. One is that we are willing for God to provide for us in as meager or generous a way as He sees best, and the other is that we will do our best to work with Him to provide in preparation for that day.

I see the necessity of the people of God moving out of the cities into retired country places, where they may cultivate the land and raise their own produce. Thus they may bring their children up with simple, healthful habits. I see the necessity of making haste to get all things ready for the crisis.2SM359.

Remember the keynote of this series of lessons is that God's people, children of the light, are not going to be overtaken by the overwhelming surprise. We are to be preparing for it. Noah did that before the flood. The people back there were just as much surprised as though there had been no warning. They ate and drank and married and gave in marriage (life went on as normal) until the day that Noah entered into the ark.