June, July, August, 1999

THE REMNANT SPEAKS TO YOU!

From the Editor:

In the 12th chapter of the book of Revelation and in the 17th verse we read: "And the Dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ".

We need to understand that most of the book of Revelation is written in metaphors, analogies, types and anti-types; and chapter 12 is no exception. The chapter begins with a woman being a type of the twelve tribes of Israel who brings forth a male child, who was destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron. This man was the Son of God, Jesus Christ. A great red dragon appears who is identified as Satan the Devil. Satan is ready to devour the child but he (Christ) is taken up to God to be our high priest.

At this point in time, as Christ is taken up to Heaven and the Christian dispensation begins, the woman now becomes a type of the Christian church rather than the nation of Israel. (Compare Exodus 19:5-6 with I Peter 2:9.)

The woman or church, because of religious persecution, has to flee into the wilderness where God makes sure she is fed. This sequence in time actually occurred as the Church was persecuted by the Roman Empire and itself is a type of a similar religious persecution prophesied to occur just before the second coming of Christ during a three and one half year period of time called the great tribulation. (Dan. 12:1 and Matthew 24:21.)

In Revelation 12:7-10, Satan and his fallen angels declare war on God and his righteous angels; are repelled by God and cast down to the earth. (Isaiah 14:13-14.)

"apostasia means defection from the truth"

In Revelation 12:12 we read where God warns us that Satan is extremely angry because he knows that he hasn't much time left. In verse 13 we now see the anti-type of verse 6, where the Roman Empire persecuted the Church. The Church is now going to be persecuted personally by the dragon or Satan himself. Again the woman (or church) flees into the wilderness, but instead of a physical wilderness as depicted in verse 6, she flees to a spiritual wilderness, because she has now lost much of her spiritual understanding as Paul explains to us in II Thessalonians 2:3. In this verse Paul tells us the second coming of Christ will not occur until the church loses much of it's spiritual understanding. He says the church will experience a great falling away first and that falling away is not in members, but rather in sound spiritual doctrine. The Greek word here for falling away is apostasia, which means defection from the truth. The time has now come where the Church of God has replaced the truth of God with fables. (Compare II Timothy 4:3-4 with II Thessalonians 2:10-11.)

The remnant keeps the commandments of God and has the testimony of Jesus Christ
In Revelation 12:15 the serpent or Satan continues to persecute the church, even though she is teaching things that are pleasing to him. Out of his mouth comes a flood of words -accusations, innuendoes, slanders, and lies to cause her to fall. The earth helps the Church and Satan turns his wrath elsewhere. He makes war with a small segment of the true Church called the remnant, which arrives on the scene just before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The proof of this Church is her doctrine. The Remnant Church of God keeps the commandments of God (all ten of them including the seventh day Sabbath) and has the testimony of Jesus Christ. Another identifying proof of the remnant church is that she won't bow the knee to Baal; or in other words the Remnant church will have nothing to do with the holidays of the world such as Christmas, Easter and Halloween, which advocate the use of pagan signs and symbols, while professing to worship our Savior. We believe this pollutes the gospel message of Jesus Christ and is something that really displeases him. (More about the Remnant Church in our next issue.)

THE REMNANT SPEAKS WITH A PURPOSE!

Should we as Christians witness for Jesus? Does Jesus really need us to do this for him? Many people claim we should travel door to door in a great witness program for Jesus. Are they right or are they wrong. What do the scriptures have to say about this subject; and where should the witness for Jesus come from?

In John 5:31-39 we read about several witnesses for Jesus. In verses 32 and 33 we read that John the Baptist was a witness for Jesus. In verse 36 the works that Christ did gave a witness for him. In verse 37 the Father bears a witness for Jesus; and in verse 39 we read where the scriptures (the old testament) give a witness about Jesus and in John 15:26 the Holy Spirit witnesses for Jesus as well.

In Luke 19:40 we read that God has the power to command stones to witness for him and with all the witnesses he has, he really doesn't need us to witness for him. But, even though he doesn't need our witness he really desires it; because Christ knows that when we tell others about him we develop a very special and personal relationship with him and many times the person we witness to. It also proves to God that we believe what Jesus has to say and that we take his testimony very seriously. Notice what Jesus says in Luke 9:26 "For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed when he shall come in his own glory ." I Peter 3: 15 tells us we should always be ready to give an answer to those who ask what and why we believe.

When we give a witness, we must do it very carefully, picking the right time and circumstance and asking Christ to guide our words so we don't offend anyone and drive them away. We need to carefully listen to others, waiting for the right time and opening to tell them about our Savior. If we try to do it in a kind and gentle way, trying not to offend the other person, God will honor our efforts and open the person's ears to understanding.

Jesus really doesn't need any human to witness for him. What better witness could he have than his own works which are chronicled in the bible and God the Father and the Holy Spirit, and yet he desires our witness for it proves our love and loyalty to him.

In Acts 1:8 in his last words to his disciples he tells them: "You shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto all the earth." Jesus doesn't need our witness, but it's important to him and should be important to us that we give it.

THE REMNANT SPEAKS OUT!

What is wrong with this world today? Check any news broadcast. Everyday it seems to bring bad news continually.

Look at the evil things humans do to one another, both on an individual level and on a much larger scale, nations against nations and race against race. You even see religious groups fighting one another.

This has been going on for hundreds of years. During the times of the Crusades, Jewish people were treated like animals, Christian armies would go through Jewish villages, and exterminate men, women, and children in the name of God!

This happened again in Europe during World War II. Jewish people were herded like cattle onto trains, then to concentration camps where atrocious things were done to them. They were herded into gas chambers to their deaths. Religious leaders at the time were teaching that the Jews were "Christ Killers" and that they should be exterminated. The German leadership really thought they were doing God a favor. John 16:2

Things like this have been happening all over the world. It has been happening in Yugoslavia for years. Ethnic cleansing has been a problem not only in Yugoslavia but also in Africa.

It is heartbreaking to see families split up, men taken and shot, while women and children are pulled from their homes into the cold, only to watch their homes burned to the ground. These people walk day and night to find a place to stay and someone to care for them. They cross into other countries looking for help and loved ones.

The faces of the refugee children are especially heartbreaking. They are scared, they will not speak because they are shocked by what they have seen happen to their families and homes. They are in need of food and medical attention but little is to be found.

Even here in our own country, there have been violent acts done to minorities. White supremacy groups harass, hurt, and even kill black people just because of their color. HOW SAD! This causes more hate on both sides. Is it any wonder why people grow up with such racial hatred? The problem continues, then snowballs into more and more violence.

In Ireland, the fighting between the Catholics and Protestants is ongoing. Their hatred for each other and their doctrinal differences has escalated into a conflict that has divided their country .

Can we stop this? Will it ever stop? What has caused our society to continue in this downward spiral? Who is in charge of this world?

Ephesians 2:2-3 refers to the influence that the "prince of the power of the air" has on the people of this world. They, (the people), are referred to as the children of disobedience.

Who is this, "prince of the power of the air"? The world knows him as Satan the Devil. This world, in general, is being led around by the chief leader of evil spirits, the god of this age, and great deceiver of all time. This explains why the unconverted can stoop to the vile acts they do.

"Satan is the god of the present, evil world"

The unconverted are known as "the children of disobedience". They may not know it but they are led by Satan to disobey, defy, and dishonor God and his commandments.

We, as human beings, have the potential to do good and evil. It is easier for us to do evil because Satan, (the prince of the power of the air), is influencing humans around the world. He is like a radio transmitter broadcasting into our minds daily. Humans, by nature, can tune in to his frequency much easier because Satan makes things look so good. We, as a people, can be selfish and when something looks good we want it.

Satan broadcasts his ways hoping to sway more people to his side and hoping to foil God's plan. WE MUST FIGHT AGAINST THIS! 1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us that Satan is a lion in sheep's clothing making evil look good and he is ready to devour the weak. WE MUST RESIST SATAN AND TURN TO GOD!

Many people profess to know Jesus Christ and that he died for them. But are they really following what he tells us in his testimony? Remember; the testimony of Jesus explains how he wants us to live our lives. Jesus has strong words for anyone who claims to know him and openly disobeys him. Matthew 7:21-23. Does this mean if we are not perfect we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven? No. Christ said in Matthew 7:23, "I never knew you." This means we need a close relationship with Jesus Christ. We know, in this life, we cannot be perfect but it is what is in our hearts and our strong desire to obey him that will give us this close relationship.

What happens to those who reject Christ when he returns to set up his kingdom on this earth? Revelation 22:12-16; verse 15 refers to those who will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

What happens to those who do not enter? Revelation 20:11-15. All humans will be judged according to how they lived their lives and then will be punished or rewarded accordingly.

In the first three chapters of Revelation, Christ tells each of the seven churches to overcome evil and by doing so they will be rewarded.

We should strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ and overcome the world (evil) as he did. 1 Peter 2:21 and Revelation 3:21.

What an awesome thing it would be if all mankind would only follow the tremendous example Christ gave us. There would be no more war, violence, selfishness and the sort of things that bring pain and suffering. Instead we would have a world filled with love and peace for EVERYONE! God speed that day.

THE REMNANT SPEAKS ADMONISHMENT!

In James 1:27 we read that God has ordained that a large portion of true religion is to make sure we keep ourselves unspotted from the world. What does this mean? Are we to be Christian dropouts, recluses, not having anything to do with this world?

Jesus said in John 17:14 as he prayed for his disciples, that the world hates them because they aren't of the world, and in verse 15 he asked God not to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil in the world. The world hates true Christians because (even though they are sinners) they want to do good and desire to live a righteous life patterned after the life of Christ.

II Corinthians 4:4 tells us that Satan is the god of this present, evil world and that this is not God's world at all. Satan is still in charge. I Corinthians 2:12 tells us there is an evil spirit sent out into this world; and Ephesians 2:2-3 tells us that Satan sends this spirit out to the world and that it works in the "children of disobedience" causing all the evil problems and atrocities mentioned in the preceding article (The Remnant Speaks Out).

Galatians 5:19-21 lists the acts which the spirit of this world (Satan's spirit) promotes. The ultimate fault lies not with the people of this world but with Satan the devil and he will feel the full force of God's wrath, for he has deceived the whole world (Revelations 12:9). But for any who read this magazine, the scriptures are very plain. We all have a choice to make; that is between good and evil. I John 2:15-16 tells us not to love the ways of this world, for all of the world's ways are evil and do not originate with the Father. James 4:4 tells us if we are friends of this world and its vices, we are an enemy of God and Christ.

It is really tough for a Christian to live an unspotted life in this present evil world, with Satan's spirit badgering us at every turn and the evil influences that are all around us. How can we combat Satan and win this war? Because, we are in an all-out war, but it is a war we cannot lose if we listen to Paul's admonition. He tells us in Romans 7:14-25 that he had to battle Satan's spirit just like we have to and that he too would lose if not for his close relationship with Jesus Christ. We all need to develop that relationship to the fullest and to follow Paul's admonishment in II Corinthians 6:17 where he makes the statement "Come out from among them and be you separate, says the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you." And also in Ephesians 6:11-18 where Paul tells us to put on the whole spiritual armor of God that we might be able to withstand Satan and his deceptions. We must desire with all of our being to stay clear of the evil actions promoted by Satan's spirit and listed in Galatians 5:19-21

I Peter 5:8 tells us to be very vigilant because Satan our adversary is stalking us like a roaring lion; but that roar can be reduced to a cat's meow if we follow Paul's admonitions, which we just read. And also James' advice in James 4:7-8 where he tells us to submit to God and resist Satan and he will flee, and to draw near to God and he will draw near to us.

We can't be perfect in this life, but God tells us we have to try, and he tells us that when we slip and sin, his grace will clean us up and make us white again through the shed blood of his son Jesus Christ. God tells us it isn't easy but we must try to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. That's a true Christian's lot.

THE REMNANT SPEAKS ENCOURAGEMENT!

Jesus said in Mark 1:15 "The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel." The word gospel really means good news, but what good news are we to believe. Verse 14 tells us the gospel (or good news) of the kingdom of God. Luke 16:16 tells us the law and the prophets were until John, but since that time the kingdom of God has been preached.

John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17) to prepare the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ, (Matthew 11:7-10). When Jesus came on the scene he began to preach the good news about the coming kingdom of God to be established on this earth and how we can become a part of that kingdom.

Lucifer the great archangel was originally chosen by God to rule this world. He is still the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4), and will be its king until God replaces him; but the time is fast approaching, when Jesus Christ is crowned King of Kings to rule in place of Satan. (Revelations 11:15). He will then return to this earth to resurrect his saints (I Thessalonians 4:14-18) and rule with them for a thousand years in the kingdom of God (Revelations 20:6).

The first time Jesus came to this earth he came as a gentle lamb to die for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 53:1-9). When he returns the second time, he will come as a conquering king to rule this earth with a rod of iron, (Revelations 19:11-16), and to chain Satan for a thousand years (Revelations 20:2). Many are frightened by this picture but only the wicked should be concerned.

Christ will rule three different ways denoted by the phrase "rod of iron". This phrase comes the Greek word rhabdos and means a badge of authority, a shepherd's staff or a literal rod of iron. He returns with the power of almighty God and will rule with this badge of authority. Those who desire to enter his kingdom and live a righteous life, he will rule with a shepherd's staff; guiding, teaching, and leading them in God's way of life (Psalms 23). For those who rebel, he will rule with a literal rod of iron (Zechariah 14:16-19).

With Satan bound and Christ and the Saints ruling for a thousand years all the atrocities and evil acts mentioned in the previous article, "The Remnant Speaks Out", will fade into oblivion. Isaiah 2:1-4 tells us that all people will learn of God's way of life and that war will be a thing of the past. Notice (lsaiah 1:1-9) where we read that even the nature of wild animals will be changed and that all things will be at peace (verse 9) for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

No more Kosovo's, no more Bosnia's, no more racial violence, no more murders, no more rapes, no more holocausts, and no more war.

What a beautiful prophetic picture God has painted for us and it is God's promise to us, his children. That promise is as sure as the rising and setting of the sun and we, through Jesus Christ, can be a part of it.

THE REMNANT SPEAKS THROUGH THE SPIRIT!

In the wake of the tragic events in Littleton, Colorado the question on everyone's lips is why did this happen and who is to blame? The families in Littleton, the police, the politicians, the Press and even the President of United States asks why and to whom does the guilty finger point.

One correspondent in writing about this tragedy asks; who bears responsibility for these deaths? The hate filled teens in trench coats, the parents, the school, the makers of the video game Doom, the police, the legislators, the Internet, Adolph Hitler and his legacy, or can you believe it, even God himself. Isn't there something missing here?

Of all the people and institutions mentioned above, I find the name of the real culprit missing. Everyone is asking why, why did this happen, and no answers are forth coming, and naturally so. If we omit or delete the Satan factor, then there are no answers. If we blot out the name of the greatest hornswoggler of all time, we crash into a brick wall. We need to place the blame for evil and sin where it belongs and where Christ places it, on Satan, the Prince of skullduggery.

In John 8:44 our Savior tells us, through his testimony, that Satan was a murderer from the beginning and the father of all lies. Why can't people see this today? Hornswoggle and skullduggery have the same meaning, deception.

In Revelation 12:9 we read that Satan has deceived the whole world. Satan has deceived almost everyone who has ever lived in one way or another, and his greatest deception is to make people believe he doesn't exist. If he doesn't exist, then he doesn't receive the blame and people ask why. Why so much pain and suffering. Why do we have war, rape, and murder. Why does this world have so much violence and evil? The answers to these questions are in our bibles and we need to read and understand them. II Corinthians 4:4, tells us that Satan is the god of this world and that he has blinded or deceived the vast majority of this planet.

Originally God placed Lucifer, the great archangel, as ruler of the earth. Lucifer, which means bringer of light, was to bring the light of God (God's way of life) to all humanity. Ezekiel 28:13-17 describes Satan's sin and how he became the enemy of God. Instead of light he brought darkness and deception to humanity and became our enemy as well. II Corinthians 11:13-15, Satan works primarily through his spirit; which he sends out into the world, and is called the spirit of the world. I Corinthians 2:12, Satan's spirit works in and influences the minds of humans, leading them to break God's laws and to do evil. The people that are swayed by Satan's spirit into doing evil are called the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2).

God could end this carnage if he desired, but he is working out a plan here on this earth. He has allotted seven thousand years for this plan, corresponding to the weekly cycle; six thousand years for Satan and those who follow his way of deception and destruction to do their work and the last one thousand years corresponding to the seventh day Sabbath, for God and those who choose to follow his way of truth, mercy, compassion, and love (Revelation 20:6).

The six thousand year period of time allotted to Satan will be a witness to all of the angelic realm and to all of mankind that Satan's way of life, written in the pain, suffering and blood of human beings, is not desirable. We are told in Ephesians 6:12, that we are in a war with Satan and his demons and that our eternal lives are at stake. Satan hates us and wants to devour us. (I Peter 5:8) Paul tells us we need to put on the whole spiritual armor of God for this war. (Ephesians 6:11-18) James tells us to draw near to God and resist Satan. (James 4:7-8).

The important question is how many in this world have drawn closer to God and how many have worn his spiritual armor? If you would compare the evil that's present in the world, you would have to admit, not too many.

In Revelation 12:7-12, we read that at an appointed time Satan and his demons attack God in heaven and are cast down to the earth; verse 12 tells us that he is very angry because he knows that his allotted time of six thousand years is almost up. We, of the Remnant church, think that time has finally arrived.

Jesus said in Matthew 18:3, unless a person becomes converted and develops the humility of a little child he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What better way could Satan use to mock Jesus Christ and thumb his nose at God, than to influence the minds of our children to do unspeakable things such as in Littleton.

Children's actions are formed early in their lives by example and association. Are the adults of this world setting a good example for their children and are they spending enough time with them. I think not on both counts. Satan is spending a lot of time with them and he is profiting greatly by his efforts. Until parents spend more time with their children and show them a godly example to follow, Satan is going to have his way with them.

Adults from every walk of life have a share in the blame for such tragedies as Littleton, but the ultimate blame for all evil rests on the shoulders of Satan the Devil. We, as adults, need to wake up and smell the roses.

God tells us in Revelation 20:10, Isaiah 14:15, and Ezekiel 28:18 that Satan will lose in the end, but, oh, what a tremendous number of victims he exacts before that time.

If you would like to know more about the Remnant Church or would like
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THE REMNANT CHURCH OF GOD
P.0. Box 44
Jackson Center, PA 16133

Pastor Rolland Wile

 

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