We have entered a phase in modern history that is unprecedented. Yes, we've had dire crises before in this nation's history and in the world. But not to the extent whole economies would suffer this much. With massive social and economic shutdowns, the world is no longer the same.
Read More"BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT"
Let those who name the name of Christ depart from all iniquity, that Christ may not be ashamed of His professed followers.
Read MoreEvery Wind of Doctrine
Presented here is a video of Elder Mark Finley's sermon at the GC Spring Meeting on April 11, 2018.
May it be a blessing to you as it has been to us.
Read MoreA Band of Brothers
It was August 1950. The Korean War had been going on for more than a month now. Communist North Korean forces, like a juggernaut, steamrolled through South Korean defenses and seemed on the verge of a decisive victory. A mere five years after the end of World War II, Americans were weary of war, but the alarming growth of communism proved too threatening.
Read MoreGod is Love
God is love (1 John 4:8, King James Version). He is also all-powerful (Genesis 18:14; Luke 18:27; Revelation 19:6) and all-knowing (Psalm 139:2-6; Isaiah 40:13-14). Love inherently depends upon the presence of others and cannot be rightly revealed by one being alone. Love, when expressed in the presence of one, can only be directed to the self and would only produce pride, or self-love. Therefore, a God of love cannot exist alone.
Read MoreHuman Freewill and the Pace of Reform
Years ago I remember a pastor saying that when Jesus raises the dead at His coming, it will be one of the easiest things He ever did. The same could be said, to be sure, of the many physical miracles recounted in the Bible story.
Read MoreNo Other Evidence
One could hardly imagine if Satan could ever be honest. As the father of deception and one who will hold this title until his final destruction (John 8:44, Rev 20:7-10), to be consciously honest even for once would seem impossible.
Read MoreWhat "Faith Alone" Really Means
As the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation approaches, the spotlight of interest in Bible-believing circles is focusing on the principal teachings of the Reformers, particularly regarding Biblical authority and the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith.
Read MoreThe Two Fates: Facing the Reality (Dan 3:16-18)
There are two sides of the Christian’s fate with regards to persecution (i.e. tribulation or trial). Anyone who endeavors to be true to principle will surely face one of these. The Bible has already admonished us to be faithful till death, and that we should not count it strange when we suffer as if some strange thing happened to us, but should rejoice because great is our reward in heaven.
Read MoreAbraham, Legalism and Grace
Abraham is often called the “father of the faithful.” As he is introduced to the Bible story, Abraham’s faith is demonstrated by his obedience to God’s call to leave the thriving metropolis that was Ur of the Chaldees and travel toward an unknown destination. We read of this demonstrative faith on Abraham’s part in both the Old and the New Testaments:
Read MoreWise as Serpents, Harmless as Doves
There is no doubt about it. We are headed towards an ever-spiraling era in history that edges us closer to the end of the world than ever before. More than ever are we seeing natural disasters pile up, causing more than a million deaths in a single event.
Read MoreFinishing the Work & the Three Angels’ Message
At the present time it is imperative for us, as God’s remnant people, to be active in finishing the work in these last days. As the world is becoming more chaotic and corrupt, it is time to wake up and share the gospel, the Three Angels’ Messages, to people around the world.
Read MoreUniversal Legal Justification: Do The Inspired Writings Teach It?
For a number of years now, a theory known as “universal legal justification” has been making the rounds among devout Seventh-day Adventists. In short, this theory teaches that on Calvary’s cross, Jesus didn’t simply die for the whole human race—something we all believe—thus providing for all a way of salvation should they meet the prescribed conditions found in Scripture. Rather, this “universal justification” theory insists that Christ legally justified the whole human race when He died on Calvary.
Read MoreA House Divided Shall Fall
The year was 73 B.C. Rome was stirred with the news of a vast gladiator army running free through the Italian countryside. For centuries the Romans had held gladiator competitions, pitting men against animals as well as other men. Gladiators were usually drawn from slaves, people whom the Romans captured in their various conquests. Today one of the most iconic and recognizable monuments of Rome are the remains of the Roman Colosseum, where perhaps thousands perished in the name of blood sport.
Read MoreThe Freeway, Speeding Tickets, and God’s Grace
As we drive down the freeway, street or road, we see signs which tell us the speed limit is 65, 55, 45, or 35 miles per hour, or whatever those who seem to know have determined is the maximum safe speed for that roadway. It's a law that should be obeyed. Most of us, however, take it for granted that the officer whose duty it is to help us obey that law will give us 4 or 5 over that limit before stopping us and writing a speeding ticket. We are assuming, and counting on, a certain amount of grace before the penalty is given.
Read MoreA Work for the Elijah’s of our Time
As so many today are blind-sided by secular politics, world markets, social media, and a daily dose of negative news, we find a sect of people going against the tide. The events which have impacted our world for the past 5 to 10 years are so immense that it is difficult to appreciate their import.
Read MoreTwo Conflicting Gospels
A recent article in an independent Adventist magazine has drawn attention to the continuing struggle over the scope and the meaning of the Biblical gospel in the Seventh-day Adventist Church (1).The article defines this struggle over the gospel in contemporary Adventism as taking place between what it calls the “gospel of grace” taught by Martin Luther and classic Protestantism, and what it calls the “gospel of character development,” which in the article’s view is a “variation of the Roman Catholic tenet of salvation by works” (2). The article uses both Scripture and the writings of Ellen White to articulate its stance.
Read More“The Eye Must be Single”
Many statements made by Jesus contain a depth of information not to be discerned by the careless reader. One such statement is the potent lesson given by Jesus when he reveals “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (KJV Matthew 6:22).
Read MoreThat Dreaded "Proof Text" Method
A popular theological vulgarism just now, in various circles of contemporary Adventism, is what has become known as the “proof text method” of Bible study.
Read MoreCounterculturally Christian
Winston Churchill once said that if you have enemies, it means you’ve stood up for something in your life. Sadly, many Christians view the hatred of the world as something to be avoided. We are afraid to appear too “radical” and thus “scare away” unbelievers. We are all too willing to compromise for the sake of “inclusiveness,” and we are paying the price.
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