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Readings in the Book of
Genesis
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Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library. No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.
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This is how I see the events of the last days occurring.
Jacob’s “trouble” begins before the end of the world as we know it, but continues through the falling of the seven last plagues.
The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction will reach its culmination in the time of trouble because God’s people are at last progressing.
Fearful sights of a supernatural character are to be revealed in the sky, in token of the power of miracle-working demons. Revelation 13:13-14. The spirits of religious devils will go forth to the kings (leaders) of the earth and to the whole world, to fasten them in deception, and urge them on to unite with the Lord in his last struggle against the government of heaven. Revelation 16:13-14. By these agencies, rulers and subjects will be alike deceived, for it will all appear very religious and Christian. Persons will arise pretending to be from Christ Himself (apparently great disciples), and even claiming the worship which belongs only to the world's Redeemer. Matthew 24:5. They will perform wonderful miracles of healing and will profess to have revelations from heaven contradicting the testimony of the Scriptures.
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2 Corinthians 11:
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into [pretending to be] the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
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The condition of the world at the time of the first advent of Christ is well described by the prophet Isaiah. He wrote that the majority would be found "transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God", as they were in his time, and will be in ours. Isaiah 59:13.
The situation previous to the first appearing of Christ is a picture of the world today. The same iniquity exists, Satan still manifests the same delusive power upon the minds of men. He is setting his trained agents at work, and moving them to intense activity. He is securing his army of human agents to engage in the last conflict against the Prince of life, to overthrow the law of God, which is the foundation of His throne.
Satan will work with miraculous presentations to confirm men and women in the belief that he is what he claims to be -- the prince of this world, and that victory is his. He will turn his forces against those who are loyal to God, but though he may cause pain, distress, and human agony, he cannot defile their hearts. He may bring affliction to the people of God as he did to Christ, but he cannot cause one of Christ's little ones to perish without their consent. We have the word of God on that. Luke 21:18.
The people of God in these last days must expect to enter into the thick of the conflict for the prophetic Word says, "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant [the last part] of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17.
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will pretend to imitate Christ’s coming.
The religious people have long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of their hopes. At that time the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come, but it will be the Lord instead of the LORD. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him will be unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph will ring out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!"
The clergy of all religions, Protestant, Catholic and heathen alike will accept him wholeheartedly and present him triumphantly to the people of the world.
These will then prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice will be soft and subdued, yet full of melody, and he will perform great miracles of healing.
All this and yet he is an impostor!! A false shepherd and recognised as such by the sheep through his voice as well as his actions, for what he says and does will contradict the Scriptures. John 10:4-5. (e. g. At the second coming the real Christ does not touch the ground, we meet Him in the air, yet this one will be walking among us. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.)
Yet only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that will take the rest of the world captive.
It will only be by the Bible testimony that these will detect the deceiver in his disguise, for his counterfeit will be magnificent. To all the testing time will come, in fact, it has already begun in many smaller ways but it will be by the sifting power of temptation to believe this huge lie the genuine Christian will be revealed. 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. Are we, as the people of God now so firmly established upon His word that we would not yield to the evidence of our senses? Would we, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only and deny what we see and hear?
Only if we are prepared beforehand by acquaintance with the true voice.
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John 10:
1 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. 4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spoke Jesus to them: but they understood not what things they were which He spoke to them.
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Satan will, if possible, prevent us from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up our way, entangle us with earthly treasures, cause us to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that our hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life and the day of trial may come upon us as a thief, suddenly and unexpectedly.
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Matthew 13:
18 Hear you therefore the parable of the sower [of the seeds of truth].
19 When any one hears the word of the kingdom [the doctrines and truths], and understands it not [properly], then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side [on the path way].
20 But he that received the seed into stony places [in the field, or church], the same is he that hears the word, and anon [straight away] with joy receives it; 21 yet has he not root in himself, but endures for a while: for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, by and by he is offended [and gives up].
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word [this takes time], and he becomes unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the word [the doctrines of the Bible], and understands it; which also bears fruit [good works], and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
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This is Satan’s part in the Trouble.
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1 Thessalonians 5:
1 [Paul explained] But of the times and the seasons [when and how this will happen], brethren, you have no need that I write to you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that THE DAY of the LORD [not the advent] so comes as a thief in the night [quietly and unexpectedly]. 3 For when they [the false religionists] shall say, “Peace and safety”; then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief [It is not hidden from all]. 5 You are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation [knowing the time].
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For “drunken” – see Revelation 17:2 and 6.
Enough for today, I’ll be back next week,
Ron
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