Many
Martyrs at the End-time
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For some strange reason, Ellen White and Omega
Countdown Ministries seem to be the only ones I know of that speak of many
martyrs at the end-time. Is there ONE new movement SDA preacher warning the
sheep that if they don't qualify as one of the 144,000 they will have to give
their life in martyrdom if they are saved? IS THERE ONE? All but the 144,000
will have to give their lives if they are saved. This will take preparation.
And how many independent ministries are warning their patrons of this serious
truth?
Many Adventists, even amongst the leaders,
teach that all the church is included in the 144,000 and that this number is
not literal but is merely symbolic. That is one of the cherished errors of many
professing Seventh-day Adventists. That would mean:
·
That all Adventists who are saved at the end-time are translated
without seeing death.
·
That somehow all Adventists will be alive to be translated at
the end-time.
·
That would mean that they all go into the Temple on Mt. Zion.
·
That would mean that they all are the bride of Christ, Zion,
when Ellen White said the bride awakens the ten virgins, Christ’s Object Lessons, 405-406. Matthew 25 says all those virgins
(all ten) slumbered and slept. If the voice of the bride awakens all ten—IN ALL
CHURCHES and the world, WITH THE LOUD CRY, she is thus distinguished from the
brides maidens she awakens.
·
In Great Controversy,
pp. 426, 427, Ellen White says that the bride cannot be the guests and the
guests cannot be the bride. Did you ever see a wedding where the guests were
the bride and the bride was the guests?
·
All faithful Adventists would be only those of the last
generation per the following statement:
·
"The woman is a symbol of the church, and the remnant of
the church represents the Christians of the last generation of men, living
just prior to the second advent. The dragon makes war on these for keeping
the commandments of God, Sabbath and all, and having the testimony of Jesus
Christ, which, according to the inspired definition of chap. xix, 10, 'is
the spirit of prophecy.' Here, then, are the causes of the dragon's warfare
upon the remnant. They teach the observance of the ten commandments, and the
revival of the gifts, and acknowledge the gift of prophecy among them. When
the Devil got one foot upon the fourth commandment, and the other upon the
gifts planted in the Christian church by Jesus Christ, then his satanic majesty
was filled with revengeful delight. But when the remnant, whom God
designs to fit for translation to Heaven without seeing death, 'ask for
the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein,' then the dragon is wroth, and makes war on them.
The true spirit of the dragonic host, which is
already being somewhat developed, is vividly described in Isa. xxx, 8-13, as
being manifested just prior to the sudden destruction of those who hate the
pure testimony, and love smooth and deceitful things." E. G. White, Spiritual
Gifts, Vol. III, 26, 27.
http://www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Prophecy/Prophecy.Martyrdom.html
Many Will Be Put to Death [Many Martyrs]
The best thing for us
is to come into close connection with God and, if He would have us be
martyrs for the truth's sake, it may be the means of bringing many more into
the truth.--3SM 420 (1886). {LDE 149.5}
Many will be
imprisoned, many will flee for their lives from cities and towns, and many
will be martyrs for Christ's sake in standing in defense of the truth.--3SM
397 (1889). {LDE 150.1}
There is a prospect
before us of a continued struggle, at the risk of imprisonment, loss of
property and even of life itself, to defend the law of God.--5T 712 (1889).
{LDE 150.2}
Men will be required
to render obedience to human edicts in violation of the divine law. Those who
are true to God will be menaced, denounced, proscribed. They will be
"betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends,"
even unto death.--PK 588 (c. 1914). {LDE 150.3}
We are not to have
the courage and fortitude of martyrs of old until brought into the
position they were in. . . . Should there be a return of persecution
there would be grace given to arouse every energy of the soul to show a true
heroism.--OHC 125 (1889). {LDE 150.4}
The disciples were
not endowed with the courage and fortitude of the martyrs until such grace was needed.--DA
354 (1898). {LDE 150.5}
“In some cases, BEFORE
the time specified in the decree, enemies will rush upon the waiting ones to
put them to death.” E.G. White, The 1884
edition of The
Great Controversy, p. 447.
How to Stand Firm Under Persecution
We shall find that we
must let loose of all hands except the hand of Jesus Christ. Friends will prove
treacherous and will betray us. Relatives, deceived by the enemy, will think
they do God service in opposing us and putting forth the utmost efforts to
bring us into hard places, hoping we will deny our faith. But we may trust our
hand in the hand of Christ amid darkness and peril.--Mar 197 (1889). {LDE
150.6}
The only way in which
men will be able to stand firm in the conflict is to be rooted and grounded in
Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus. And it is only as the
truth is presented thus that it can meet the wants of the soul. The preaching
of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what satisfies the soul's
hunger. When we secure the interest of the people in this great central truth,
faith and hope and courage come to the heart.--GCDB Jan. 28, 1893. {LDE 151.1}
Many, because of
their faith, will be cut off from house and heritage here, but if they will
give their hearts to Christ, receiving the message of His grace, and resting
upon their Substitute and Surety, even the Son of God, they may still be filled
with joy.--ST June 2, 1898. {LDE 151.2}
Persecution Scatters God's People
As enmity is aroused
in various places against those who observe the Sabbath of the Lord, it may
become necessary for God's people to move from those places to places where
they will not be so bitterly opposed. {LDE 151.3}
God does not require
His children to remain where, by the course of wicked men, their influence is
made of no effect and their lives endangered. When liberty and life are
imperiled it is not merely our privilege, it is our positive duty to go to
places where the people are willing to hear the Word of life and where the
opportunities for preaching the Word will be more favorable.--Ms 26, 1904. {LDE
151.4}
The time is
soon coming when God's people, because of persecution, will be scattered in
many countries. Those who have received an all-round education will have
the advantage where they are.--5MR 280 (1908). {LDE 152.1}
—rwb