NEW WORLD ORDER

Have you noticed that it is very hard to pick up a newspaper these days without finding some mention of the term "New World Order." There is a lot of talk about it, but what does it mean? Is it something we should look forward to? Will it take place and if so, when? Who will be responsible for bringing in this New World Order? Will it be the president of the United States or maybe even the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the pope himself? Where can we find these answers? Does the Bible say anything about this important subject that will affect the whole world? Let’s look at some information that will help us get a better picture of upcoming events.

Pope Calls For A New World Order
The San Francisco Chronicle had a front page story with the title, "Pope Calls for a New World Order He endorses capitalism with a social conscience." This article stated that the pope has a vision of a post-Communist world of economic and social justice, leaving room for capitalism, with a moral core but no place for "consumer societies."
There is a book on the market today by Malachi Martin, entitled "The Keys of This Blood", Simon and Schuster. Martin, a former Jesuit and professor at the Vatican’s Pontifical Biblical Institute, details the pope’s plans for conquering the world.

A Winner-Take-All Race
Taken from the dust jacket of Malachi Martin’s book, the publisher states: "In this timely and provocative new book, bestselling author Malachi Martin reveals the untold story behind the Vatican’s role in the collapse of the Iron Curtain, as well as the popes far-reaching assessment of the three-way contest now unfolding among the global powers the Soviet Union. . . the capitalist nations of the West, and the pope’s own universal Roman Church a winner-take-all race against time and each other to establish, maintain, and control the first one-world government that has ever existed on the face of the earth. . . And Martin reveals the pope’s own blueprint for a genuinely geopolitical structure: a one-world government that is both viable and humanly acceptable."
The term New World Order received attention as never before when former President George Bush, during the Persian Gulf crisis, gave a speech mentioning the New World Order that is coming. When Kuwait was invaded, they looked to America for military help. A National Public Radio correspondent called George Bush the "president of the world."
Time magazine has called America "the world’s sole remaining superpower." Charles Krauthammer, writing in the New Republic, said we now have "a highly unusual world structure with a single power, the United States, at the apex of the international system."

What Is In Store For The Future?
With the United States as the only superpower left on the scene and the Vatican working to bring about a one-world government, from a religious standpoint, what is in store for the future? Is China worried about their future? Newsweek magazine reports, "As they watched the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and Russia, China’s aging leadership became convinced that the man most responsible for the party’s fall from grace was none other than the pope himself. Internal party documents accused him of directing ‘reactionary and subversive’ forces against communists everywhere."
In a Life magazine article entitled "The Triumph of John Paul II," writer Stefan Kanfer quotes a senior Vatican diplomat: "‘We are not accustomed to witnessing so many events like these, we did not expect to see such an abundance of fruits.’ In private meetings with heads of state, back room consultations with dissident groups and with persistent propagandizing. . . the pope has helped bring about the greatest policy change since the Russian Revolution. His objective is. . . the liberation of the world itself."
Catholicism, with the cooperation of the United States, wants to bring about a one-world government. Will they succeed and set up another world empire to try to bring about world peace and order?
Lets look and see if the Bible talks about this most important subject, the New World Order.
The Bible Has Much To Reveal
The Bible has much to reveal about what is going to happen in the world. In the book of Daniel we can find the answers.
"And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him." Daniel 2:1.
Nebuchadnezzar was greatly disturbed by his dreams, but could not remember the details and was very distressed. He put forth a decree that unless the dream was made known to him, all the wise men and astrologers of ancient Babylon would be slain. Daniel and his three friends were among this group of wise men. All of the other wise men and astrologers could not tell the King his dream or any part of it. Daniel and his three companions prayed for the God of heaven to reveal to Daniel the king’s dream. God allowed Daniel to dream the same dream that King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed.
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream he saw a great image. The head of the image was pure gold; its chest and arms of silver; the thighs were of brass; and the legs were made of iron. The feet were composed of iron mixed with clay. The King saw a stone cut out of a mountain without human help, fly through the air and strike the image, upon its feet. The gold, silver, brass, iron, and clay were completely shattered and broken, and ‘became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors.’ Daniel 2:35, and the wind blew them all away. Then the stone began to grow, soon it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

God Had Shown Him. . .The Future
Daniel explained to King Nebuchadnezzar that God had shown him what was to happen in the future. The different parts of the image represented four world empires which would rule the world in turn. "Thou art this head of gold," Daniel 2:38. The golden head represented the world kingdom of Babylon ruled by the King. Daniel revealed that the rest of the kingdoms would not be as great as the Babylonian empire, which Nebuchadnezzar ruled, and that there would be four empires total Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Years later more events of the dream began to take place. Belshazzar, who was Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, was the king when the Babylonian empire fell. Belshazzar was holding a drunken feast. During this feast Belshazzar decided to mock the God of heaven by drinking wine from the sacred cups taken from the temple of God when Jerusalem had been captured by his grandfather. While the crowd was drunk, a supernatural hand appeared, writing on the wall: "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." The meaning as given in the Bible is: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. . . . Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:26- 28. That very night Darius overthrew Babylon, killed Belshazzar, and Medo-Persia was the new world empire.
The overthrow of Medo-Persia took place by the Greeks at the Battle of Arbela in 331 BC. Greece, which succeeded Medo-Persia, was divided into four parts at the death of Alexander the Great, and finally lost world dominion, being overthrown and succeeded by Rome at the Battle of Pydna in 168 BC.
Daniel had also told Nebuchadnezzar about the fourth and last earthly kingdom, "And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." Daniel 2:40. "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. . . . but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay." Daniel 2:41- 43. Daniel told the King that the fourth world empire, Rome, would be divided as represented by the ten toes of the image. Some of the resulting nations would be strong and some would be weak. This has been fulfilled as the nations of Europe are the successors to the Roman Empire.

They Shall Not Cleave
Through the years since the fall of the Roman Empire there has been an ongoing effort to bring about a united Europe and another world empire. History records show that every attempt has failed. Just as Daniel predicted, "but they shall not cleave one to another." Daniel 2:43. Daniel was revealing to the King and also to us, "What shall be in the latter days." Daniel 2:28.
The new attempt to bring about a New World Order is another effort to form a one-world government. All the attempts that have been made to bring about another world empire have failed, and it has been at great loss of human lives. The reason that they all have been, and will continue to be unsuccessful is because they are not listening to the God of heaven. He told Daniel that there would not be another world empire after Rome. The nations have gone against the Word of God. Their lust for power and wealth have caused war and bloodshed.

All Attempts Have Failed
"With Rome fell the last of the world’s universal empires. Heretofore it was possible for one nation, rising superior to its neighbors to consolidate them into one vast empire. But when Rome fell, such possibilities forever passed away. The iron was mixed with clay and lost the power of cohesion. No man or combination of men can again consolidate the fragments." The Prophecies of Daniel and The Revelation, Uriah Smith, p. 60. Time and time again men have dreamed of rebuilding one mighty kingdom. Charlemagne tried it; Charles V tried; Louis XIV tried; Napoleon tried; Kaiser Wilhelm tried; and Adolf Hitler tried. All attempts have failed. The current attempt may appear for a time to be successful, but it will be short lived.
But Daniel’s prophecy goes on and explains the future, the near future. ". . . the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." Daniel 2:44,45.
God’s kingdom will not come as a result of politics. God says that He will set up His kingdom, and His kingdom will stand forever. The time prophecy for God’s kingdom to be set up is in the very near future. Jesus’ second coming will usher in the last and eternal kingdom. All the events that we see rapidly taking place in the world point us to the soon coming of Christ. We will not see a one-world empire this side of heaven. You can be a part of God’s kingdom. Won’t you ask Him to come into your heart now so you can be ready for Jesus’ soon coming.

In The Name Of World Peace
There is more Bible prophecy that tells us we are about to see the world unite under the influence of the papacy. We will be told that in the name of world peace, all nations need to succumb to the Vatican’s vision of a one-world government, a New World Order.
The world will make another attempt to unite, but this is just a false hope of world peace. We know that we have a more sure word of prophecy, and that the Bible explains to us the next kingdom is God’s kingdom. This good news brings to our hearts the promise of everlasting peace, and the joy of spending eternity with God. Just think of it. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4.

ARE YOU READY? ARE YOU SURE?

Prophecy Shows that the VERY NEXT event scheduled to happen in our world- is the passing of a National Sunday Law!! What is it? What is its purpose? What will it bring on?

This is a very brief outline of the issues about to hit this old world. Space prohibits the full explanation of all that will be summarized here. BELOW however are a list of Free PDF eBooks and other links, that anyone who wants to understand what is going on, can read to see the whole picture. They are listed in recommended order of importance, but each item has valuable information for those who care enough to become knowledgeable about the event that all history has been moving towards.

What is it?
Over a Century ago a Prophetic Message was unveiled which showed that very soon the churches of the world would unite and pressure the Government to rescind the Constitution's guarantee of Religious Freedom by the passing and enforcing of legislation to honor the wishes of Rome and pass stringent laws to exalt the Sunday as an enforced day of worship. It would first begin in the very nation that had been in the past a bastion of refuge for the persecuted of the earth; USA. Soon after, however, it will be forced upon the whole world by that same power joining hands with Rome!
People laughed for decade after decade, saying that such a thing was totally impossible-BUT NOW no one can deny that this very prophecy is about to be fulfilled!

What are the issues?
When God Created this earth, He did so in six literal days, you can read all about it in Genesis chapter 1. THEN He created something else--He rested on the Seventh Day and blessed it, setting it apart--a monument in time as it were--to be kept holy forever in honor of His creative power. God Himself, the Mighty Creator, rested that day and told man to join Him in that rest. Like a Father setting time in His busy schedule to spend with His family--nothing is to intrude into that hallowed space in time.
When He led the Children of Israel out of Egypt to become His chosen people, He reminded them of this sacred duty:Exodus 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
This is the only place in that Mighty Decalogue where the Identity of the Creator and Lawgiver is declared--as such it is the SEAL of the Law of God! In order to place himself on the throne of the universe, Satan, God's avowed enemy, has waged war on the Law and this commandment in particular all down through the ages since he first tempted Adam and Eve to doubt and disobey their Creator.
He has exalted his own special day: Dies Solis- The Day of the Sun-- honoring the Sun-god and has succeeded in getting most of mankind to blindly accept it. BUT--God's prophecy has predicted that in the end time would come a showdown! At the time of His Judgment-He would call for all to return to loyalty! Notice how Isaiah describes it:
Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, [in God's Law]The restorer of paths to dwell in. 13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: 14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

What is its Purpose ?
The people and leaders of the world want to use it to somehow get back into the favor of God and restore the Nations to prosperity.
Rome wants to use it to unite the world under her dictatorship as it was in the Dark Ages. Satan wants to use it to destroy the Remnant of God's faithful people from the face of the earth by having them persecuted for obeying God's Law!
But GOD has a very different purpose for allowing it to happen! At the end of the incredible 2300 year prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9, 1844, there began the special judgment of all who have ever claimed to accept the way of Salvation that was made for man through the death of Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of the broken Law and give man a second chance to return to loyalty. They are judged to see if they did indeed put away all rebellion and return to God through the power made available by Grace.
This judgment began in 1844 with the cases of the dead. BUT there would come a time when the scrutiny must pass to those still alive on the earth. God of course KNOWS who are loyal and who are not- BUT He wants that all His children throughout the Universe will be able also to see this clearly.
So He chose the Fourth Commandment, the one that is the Seal of His law- the one that is His Memorial in Time--to be His special test to divide those who truly are His from those who are not.
Notice how one Prophet of God describes the scenario in symbols in Isaiah 10:5-22. Here he likens the Roman power to the Assyrian King. This is only one of many prophecies about this event--learn others in the books offered free below.
Isaiah 10:5 "O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets."
He tells how He will use them to do His will even though he does not know it. He describes the boastful power who will think he is doing his own ideas and getting his own way because of his power and wisdom.

7 Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.

8 For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
God goes on to say that once He has used this power to accomplish His will in judging and punishing the world for its rebellion, then He will destroy that boastful power as well!
12 Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

13 For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:

14 And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
God here points out that as mighty as this power thinks itself to be--it is only to be used as a tool in His hand!
15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
Then God points out that although His professed followers may be many, that sadly only a few, a 'remnant' will stand through the testing process and remain true to Him!
20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

21 The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.

22 For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.

What will it bring on?
Those who remain faithful through this test will be declared worthy of death by the governments of the world controlled by apostate religion. But when the decree to kill them all has gone forth-- That is when God steps in. First He declares that all who are His will remain His forever but those who are not- will never get another chance. God then begins to pour out His judgments in the form of Seven final plagues on the earth. Very soon then Jesus will return in His glory to take His faithful home to heaven with Him. Notice that He does not at this time set foot on earth--He calls forth the righteous dead and they and His tried and tested, living people are caught up into the clouds to meet Him in the air.

Before this, in an effort to deceive all the people on earth, Satan will appear as Christ. He will walk on earth and consult with the powers of earth--but he is a deceiver--NOT the real Jesus Christ. Sadly, most people will be tricked and fall down and worship their worst enemy.
How can we Prepare?

CONFLITS IN THE LAST DAYS

Note: September 11, 2001, brought shock and dismay to the United States of America and to the rest of the world over the airliner attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Though Ellen G. White did not predict these specific events, she foresaw trouble of various kinds coming on the world in the last days before Jesus' return. Below we have gathered some statements, mostly from the compilation Last Day Events {LDE} and the devotional book Maranatha {Mar}, which may be especially meaningful in light of current events.

Warning and Assurance from Jesus
Christ upon the Mount of Olives rehearsed the fearful judgments that were to precede His second coming: "Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: . . . Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows" [Matt. 24:6-8]. While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application in the last days.--5T 753 (1899). {LDE 18}

The nations are in unrest. Times of perplexity are upon us. Men's hearts are failing them for fear of the things that are coming upon the earth. But those who believe in God will hear His voice amid the storm, saying, "It is I; be not afraid."--ST Oct. 9, 1901. {LDE 19}

In the days of Noah the overwhelming majority was opposed to the truth, and enamored with a tissue of falsehoods. The land was filled with violence. War, crime, murder, was the order of the day. Just so will it be before Christ's second coming.--1BC 1090 (1891). . . .

The terrible reports we hear of murders and robberies, of railway accidents and deeds of violence, tell the story that the end of all things is at hand. Now, just now, we need to be preparing for the Lord's second coming.--Letter 308, 1907. {LDE 23}

Wars and Disasters
The tempest is coming and we must get ready for its fury by having repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will arise to shake terribly the earth. We shall see troubles on all sides. Thousands of ships will be hurled into the depths of the sea. Navies will go down, and human lives will be sacrificed by millions. Fires will break out unexpectedly and no human effort will be able to quench them. The palaces of earth will be swept away in the fury of the flames. Disasters by rail will become more and more frequent. Confusion, collision, and death without a moment's warning will occur on the great lines of travel. The end is near, probation is closing. Oh, let us seek God while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near!--MYP 89, 90 (1890).

In the last scenes of this earth's history war will rage. There will be pestilence, plague and famine. The waters of the deep will overflow their boundaries. Property and life will be destroyed by fire and flood. We should be preparing for the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for them that love Him.--Mar 174 (1897). {LDE 24}

God's Purpose in Calamities
What mean the awful calamities by sea--vessels hurled into eternity without a moment's warning? What mean the accidents by land--fire consuming the riches that men have hoarded, much of which has been accumulated by oppression of the poor? The Lord will not interfere to protect the property of those who transgress His law, break His covenant, and trample upon His Sabbath, accepting in its place a spurious rest day.

The plagues of God are already falling upon the earth, sweeping away the most costly structures as if by a breath of fire from heaven. Will not these judgments bring professing Christians to their senses? God permits them to come that the world may take heed, that sinners may be afraid and tremble before Him.--3MR 311 (1902). {LDE 27, 28}

Coming Events Are in the Hands of the Lord
The world is not without a ruler. The program of coming events is in the hands of the Lord. The Majesty of heaven has the destiny of nations as well as the concerns of His church in His own charge.--5T 753 (1889).

These symbolical representations [the fiery serpents in the wilderness] serve a double purpose. From them God's people learn not only that the physical forces of the earth are under the control of the Creator, but also that under His control are the religious movements of the nations. Especially is this true with reference to the enforcement of Sunday observance.--19MR 281 (1902).

In the great closing work we shall meet with perplexities that we know not how to deal with, but let us not forget that the three great Powers of heaven are working, that a divine hand is on the wheel, and that God will bring His purposes to pass.--Ev 65 (1902). . . .

In the annals of human history, the growth of nations, the rise and fall of empires, appear as if dependent on the will and prowess of man; the shaping of events seems, to a great degree, to be determined by his power, ambition, or caprice. But in the Word of God the curtain is drawn aside, and we behold, above, behind, and through all the play and counterplay of human interest and power and passions, the agencies of the All-merciful One, silently, patiently working out the counsels of His own will.--PK 499, 500 (c. 1914). {LDE 29, 30}

New York City
God has not executed His wrath without mercy. His hand is stretched out still. His message must be given in Greater New York. The people must be shown how it is possible for God, by a touch of His hand, to destroy the property they have gathered together against the last great day.--3MR 310, 311 (1902).

I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only that I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God's power. . . . Death will come in all places. This is why I am so anxious for our cities to be warned.--RH July 5, 1906.

On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. . . .

The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fireproof buildings and said: "They are perfectly safe." But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines.--9T 12, 13 (1909). {LDE 112, 113}

Judgments Coming on the Cities
Terrible shocks will come upon the earth, and the lordly palaces erected at great expense will certainly become heaps of ruins.--3MR 312 (1891).

When God's restraining hand is removed, the destroyer begins his work. Then in our cities the greatest calamities will come.--3MR 314 (1897).

The Lord gives warnings to the inhabitants of the earth, as in the Chicago fire and the fires in Melbourne, London, and the city of New York.--Ms 127, 1897.

The end is near and every city is to be turned upside down every way. There will be confusion in every city. Everything that can be shaken is to be shaken and we do not know what will come next. The judgments will be according to the wickedness of the people and the light of truth that they have had.--1MR 248 (1902).

O that God's people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost given to idolatry.--Ev 29 (1903).

The time is near when large cities will be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments.--Ev 29 (1910). {LDE 110, 111}

Catastrophe-proof Buildings Will Become Ashes
I have seen the most costly structures in buildings erected and supposed to be fireproof, and just as Sodom perished in the flames of God's vengeance so will these proud structures become ashes. . . . The flattering monuments of men's greatness will be crumbled in the dust even before the last great destruction comes upon the world.--3SM 418 (1901).

Men will continue to erect expensive buildings, costing millions of money. Special attention will be called to their architectural beauty and the firmness and solidity with which they are constructed, but the Lord has instructed me that despite the unusual firmness and expensive display, these buildings will share the fate of the temple in Jerusalem.--5BC 1098 (1906). {LDE 111, 112}

Angels are Holding the Winds
The prophet saw "four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." Another angel, ascending from the east, cried to them, saying, "Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." This points out the work we now have to do, which is to cry to God for the angels to hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world, and shall have proclaimed the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah.--RH Extra, Dec. 11, 1888. {LDE 125}

I asked my accompanying angel the meaning of what I heard, and what the four angels were about to do. He said to me that it was God that restrained the powers, and that He gave His angels charge over things on the earth; that the four angels had power from God to hold the four winds, and that they were about to let them go; but while their hands were loosening, and the four winds were about to blow, the merciful eye of Jesus gazed on the remnant that were not sealed, and He raised His hands to the Father and pleaded with Him that He had spilled His blood for them. Then another angel was commissioned to fly swiftly to the four angels and bid them hold, until the servants of God were sealed with the seal of the living God in their foreheads. {Early Writings, 38}

My dear brethren and sisters, let the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ be in your minds continually and let them crowd out worldly thoughts and cares. When you lie down and when you rise up, let them be your meditation. Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of man. The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling and election sure. {Early Writings, 58}

God's Judgments are Coming
The signs of the times give evidence that the judgments of heaven are being poured out, that the day of the Lord is at hand. The daily papers are full of indications of an intense conflict in the future. Bold robberies are of frequent occurrence. Strikes are common. Thefts and murders are committed on every hand. Men possessed by demons are taking the lives of men, women, and little children. All these things testify that the Lord's coming is near.

The restraining Spirit of God is even now being withdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms, tempests, disasters by sea and by land, follow one another in quick succession. The signs thickening around us, telling of the near approach of the Son of God, are attributed to any other than the true cause. . . .

The time is right upon us when there will be sorrow in the world that no human balm can heal. Even before the last great destruction comes upon the world, the flattering monuments of man's greatness will be crumbled in the dust. God's retributive judgments will fall on those who in the face of great light have continued in sin. Costly buildings, supposed to be fireproof, are erected. But as Sodom perished in the flames of God's vengeance, so will these proud structures become ashes. I have seen vessels which cost immense sums of money wrestling with the mighty ocean, seeking to breast the angry billows. But with all their treasures of gold and silver, and with all their human freight, they sank into a watery grave.... But amid the tumult of excitement, with confusion in every place, there is a work to be done for God in the world. {Mar 175}

We Must Improve the Time
As yet the four winds are held until the servants of God shall be sealed in their foreheads. Then the powers of earth will marshal their forces for the last great battle. How carefully we should improve the little remaining period of our probation!

Minds that have been given up to loose thought need to change. . . . The thoughts must be centered upon God. Now is the time to put forth earnest effort to overcome the natural tendencies of the carnal heart. {Mar 243}

We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecies are fulfilling. Strange and eventful history is being recorded in the books of heaven--events which it was declared should shortly precede the great day of God. Everything in the world is in an unsettled state. The nations are angry, and great preparations for war are being made. Nation is plotting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. The great day of God is hasting greatly. But although the nations are mustering their forces for war and bloodshed, the command to the angels is still in force, that they hold the four winds until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. {Selected Messages, 1:221, 222}

This is the work that the Lord would have every soul prepared to do at this time, when the four angels are holding the four winds, that they shall not blow until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. There is no time now for self-pleasing. The lamps of the soul must be trimmed. They must be supplied with the oil of grace. Every precaution must be taken to prevent spiritual declension, lest the great day of the Lord overtake us as a thief in the night. Every witness for God is now to work intelligently in the lines which God has appointed. We should daily obtain a deep and living experience in the work of perfecting Christian character. We should daily receive the holy oil, that we may impart to others. All may be light bearers to the world if they will. We are to sink self out of sight in Jesus. We are to receive the word of the Lord in counsel and instruction, and gladly communicate it. There is now need of much prayer. Christ commands, "Pray without ceasing;" that is, keep the mind uplifted to God, the source of all power and efficiency. {Testimonies to Ministers, 510, 511}

Summer is Near!
This life at best is but the Christian's winter; and the bleak winds of winter-- disappointments, losses, pain, and anguish--are our lot here; but our hopes are reaching forward to the Christian's summer, when we shall change climate, leave all the wintry blasts and fierce tempests behind, and be taken to those mansions Jesus has gone to prepare for those that love Him. {Life Sketches of Ellen G. White, 239, 240}

BEWARE OF RECEIVING BLESSINGS THE VATICAN

(Download PDF)"I will curse your blessings." Malachi 2:2
This tract originated many years ago from the Protestant Truth Society in London and has been reprinted many times. Here it is, updated and entirely relevant in view of the courting of the Papacy today. At least the Papal "blessings" have been consistent!Pope Pius IX sent the Golden Rose ("blessings") to the King of the Two Sicilies, and in less than a year, he lost his crown and kingdom.

The same Pope sent his blessings to the Austrian Kaiser, and in less than a year, he lost Venetia and suffered defeat at Sadowa.
The same Pope sent the Golden Rose ("blessings") to Queen Isabella of Spain, and in a short time, she lost her crown and died in exile.
He sent his Golden Rose ("blessings") to the Empress Eugenie of France, and in less than a year, the Emperor and Empress lost their crowns, and both died later in exile, and their only son was killed by Zulus in Africa.

The Empress of Brazil was blessed by the Pope. She broke her leg three days after, and she and the Emperor were dethroned and died in exile.

The Crown Princess of Brazil was blessed by the Pope, with the result that her baby was born deformed, and she died in exile.

The Pope blessed the Emperor of Mexico, Maximilian. He was dethroned and killed by his people.

The Pope blessed the Emperor’s widow. She became a hopeless maniac and died in exile.
The Pope blessed a steamer filled with nuns enroute to South America in 1870. It never reached its destination, every soul perishing.

The Pope blessed the floating palace bound from Monte Video to Buenos Aires. It foundered two days later.

The Pope blessed General Boulanger and in less than two weeks he was in exile, later committing suicide.

Mrs. Sherman, wife of the American General Sherman, received the Golden Rose ("blessing" from the Pope). It proved fatal, and she died soon after.

Dr. Windhorst received the Papal "Order of Christ", he died in less than a year.
In 1895, the Archbishop of Damascus, at Vittoria, gave the Pope’s blessings to the Spanish troops and fleet, with the result, Spain lost two fleets and two armies.

The Queen Regent of Spain and King Alfonso were blessed by the Pope. They promptly lost Cuba and the Philippines.

In 1897, the Papal Nuncio blessed the grand "Charity" bazaar in Paris. Within five minutes, it was in flames and nearly 150 of the aristocracy perished, including the sister of the Empress of Austria.

The poor Empress of Austria received the Golden Rose (the "blessing" from the Pope). It was her death knell. She was murdered in Switzerland, her only son committing suicide previously and her nephew losing his throne subsequently, while Austria has ceased to exist as an Empire.
King Edward VII of Britain visited the Pope and received, as a mark of favor, a signed photograph of Pope Leo XIII. At once came news of a reverse to British troops in Somaliland, and the king’s health began to fail and was never restored.

The Pope blessed Lord Denbigh, the special envoy of the British Sovereign. That very day, disaster befell the British Army in South Africa—Lord Methuen being severely wounded, and the papists in Parliament cheered the news.

Princess Ena of Battenberg received the Pope’s blessing on her perversion and marriage, 1906. On the same day as the wedding, she narrowly escaped death at the hands of a Romish anarchist, some thirteen hapless victims succumbing, and eighty others being wounded. Her wedding garments were spattered with blood. One, at least, of her sons was afflicted bodily. May 29th, 1923, the Pope gave the Golden Rose (his "blessing") to the Queen of Spain (Princess Ena of Battenberg). In May 1931, she, with her husband, King Alfonso XIII, lost their throne and fled Spain.

The Pope blessed Queen Natalie of Servia on her perversion in 1906. She ended her days as a fugitive in exile, her only son, the king, being murdered.

The Queen of Portugal, one of the Orleans, was blessed by the Pope. Her husband, the king, and her eldest son were murdered beside her in a carriage, and she and her surviving son escaped as exiles to England, throneless. Portugal has been a republic ever since.

At the height of his power, the German Kaiser visited the Pope, and received his blessing. 1908. He lost his throne in 1918 and died in exile. Germany became a crushed and humiliated republic.
In 1914, a rich English land owner, Dyer Edwards, turned papist. In 1916, he went to Rome, was "blessed" by the Pope, and in four days was dead.

In 1928, the Pope blessed the ‘Italia’ airship and gave it a cross to place on the North Pole. The result was fatal. The airship foundered and broke in two—half its crew being lost whilst General Nobile was severely injured and was later censured by an Italian committee. It was the greatest fiasco of that time.

After Mussolini had murdered the people of Abyssinia and sacked their country, the Pope blessed the Italians as "a great and good people." Mussolini came to an inglorious end and was hung upside down and his body mutilated.

On July 2nd, 1963, President Kennedy of the U.S.A. was received and blessed by Pope Paul VI. He was assassinated, murdered, in Texas in November of that year.

In 1964 Pope Paul presented the Golden Rose to Bethlehem. Trouble ahead?

In 1964 Queen Elizabeth II visited the Pope, complying with his request to be dressed in black. Since then her once proud Empire has collapsed and her island is seeking to lose its identity and be gobbled up in Europe under the Treaty of Rome, to be subjugated as thoroughly as though the Pope’s protégé, Hitler, had won the war.

President Sukarno of Indonesia received from the Pope a few years ago, the highest Papal honor which can be bestowed on a layman. His regime has since ended in ignominy.

Arthur Calwell, leader of Australia’s great Labor Party, received a Papal knighthood. His promising career soon came to an end and he has gone into political oblivion.

When Pope Paul visited India, a converted RC crusader H. Rodrigus, was jailed for the duration as a precaution against riots. The worst drought in history followed and the famine is still raging.
The Pope announced he was paying a visit to the shrine of Fatima in Portugal. A week before he arrived, a little girl was killed by a bolt of lightning whilst standing against the shrine.

On 24 April 1966 King Constantine and Queen Marie of Greece have an audience with the Pope. On 21 April 1967 some army officers oust King Constantine in a coup-de-tat. On 12 December 1967 the King and his family flee from Greece after a counter "coup" in the King’s favor fails. They now live in exile in Rome.

On 5 October 1965 Pope Paul VI visits New York City, to address the United Nations General Assembly. He is met privately by President Johnson, who hails the visit as a great occasion for the USA. He introduces his wife and daughter to the Pope, and thereafter frequently attends mass at Roman Catholic cathedrals. Johnson's popularity as President steadily declined after the 1966 elections. On 1 April 1968 President Johnson virtually resigns by announcing he will not stand for re-election. His three years in office were among the most tragic in American History. More than half a million US troops were sent to Vietnam without decisive results. He had to cope with anti-war demonstrations, unrest on the campus and Negro riots. The prestige of the USA abroad was at its lowest. Johnson died after suffering his third heart attack, on January 22, 1973.

On 12 May 1964, King Hussein of Jordan audiences. On the 5 June 1967, his armies are defeated by Israel in the six-day war. He loses territory to the state of Israel.

On 7 March 1963, Nikita Khrushchev did not have a direct audience with the Pope, but worked to improve Vatican-Soviet relations. He would not go himself, but sent his son-in-law, A.I. Adzubel and wife to audience with the Pope on 7 March 1963. On 16 October 1964, Mr. Khrushchev is ousted from his powerful position as First Secretary of the USSR. From then on he fades from the political scene.

On 2 July 1963, President John F. Kennedy audiences with the Pope for his blessing. He committed more troops to Vietnam soon after, completely involving the USA in the war. On 22 November 1963, President Kennedy is assassinated.

On 5 February 1967, Senator Robert F. Kennedy audiences with the Pope at the start of his election campaign. On 6 June 1968, Senator Kennedy is assassinated.

On 1 June 1967, General De Gaulle, who along with the "Big Three" refused to allow the Vatican any representation on the Peace Council after the defeat of the Axis Powers, seeks reconciliation with the Papacy and audiences with the Pope. On 24 August 1969, De Gaulle resigns after the defeat of his Constitutional Reform Bill.

On 12 October 1964, President Sockarno of Indonesia at the height of his power, audiences with the Pope and receives the highest Papal honor for a layman, He is deposed from office in 1967. (repeat?)

On 31 July 1969, Pope Paul VI visits Uganda at the invitation of President Dr. Milton Obote, who is knighted by the Pope at a special ceremony at which he blesses the people of Uganda. Dr. Obote is deposed in 1971 (January) and is now in exile as a result coup-de-tat by an army office Idi Amin. On 10 September 1975, President Idi Amin audiences with the Pope. Liberation forces from neighboring Tanzania defeat the armies of Idi Amin on 12 April 1979 and he is now in exile.
On 12 May 1967 Pope Paul VI visits Fatima in Portugal and is warmly welcomed by the Premier, Dr. Salazar. On 8 September 1968 Dr. Salazar has a stroke and is partly paralyzed. He is replaced in office by Dr. Caetano.

On 30 November 1970, Pope Paul VI visits Pakistan to see cyclone damage and sympathize with victims. In March 1971, civil war breaks out and lasts more than a year. Many hundreds of thousands die, and millions become refugees. In April 1972 President Yahaya Khan, who allowed the visit is deposed after his armies are defeated in war against India.

On 29 September 1970, President Nixon visited the Pope to tell him of his decision to withdraw all American troops from Vietnam. He is coolly received with no blessing. In 1972 President Nixon wins the Presidency with a comfortable majority. Unfortunately, the story does not end here for Richard Nixon. He compromised by appointing a personal envoy to the Vatican, as the US constitution does not allow official representation. On 21 December 1972, Nixon’s son-in-law and daughter (nee Patricia Nixon) audiences with the Pope. On August 24 1974, President Nixon is forced to resign ignominiously over the Watergate Affair.

On 10 October 1970, Emperor Haille Sellasie of Ethiopia audiences. In 1972-73 his country is hit by a severe drought and famine. In August 1974 he is deposed in a coup-de-tat and the Army takes over. He dies in captivity on 27 August 1975.

On 14 November 1972, Ex -President Peron audiences with the Pope before returning to Argentina as new president. On 2 July 1974 President Peron dies of a heart attack one year after taking office.

On 9 April 1973 President Thieu of South Vietnam audiences. On 24 July 1975, the armies of South Vietnam are completely routed by the Viet Kong and North Vietnam. Thieu resigns and flees from the country .

On .5 October 1972 Prime Minister Edward Heath of Great Britain audiences. On 17 December 1973 Britain drifts into its grimmest economic and industrial crisis since World War II On 4 March 1974, the Conservative party is defeated. Edward Heath resigns and in February 1975 he is deposed from party leadership by Margaret Thatcher.

On 1 December 1970, Pope Paul VI visits Australia and is welcomed by Prime Minister John S. Gorton. In March 1971 he is deposed from part leadership and reverts to a back bencher in August of that year. On 2 December 1972 the Liberal-Country Party that permitted this visit is defeated at the elections overwhelmingly in spite of official support from the Church of Rome. Mr. Gough Witlam becomes Prime Minister.

When Pope Paul VI visited Australia in 1970, he pronounced his blessing on Australia. "May God bless the Great Australian Nation, May He grant it peace and prosperity." His followers were delighted and expected great benefit to the nation, but this is what actually happened. On 27 April 1973, Prime Minister Whitlam audiences with the Pope, and a few months later opens diplomatic relations with the Vatican, for the first time in the nation’s history —and with out any mandate from the people. In the period that followed, the country is hit by frequent strikes, intemperate demands for wage rises, business recession, record rate of inflation of 17% and serious unemployment from which the nation in 1982 had not yet recovered. On 25 December 1974, the city of Darwin is destroyed by a monstrous cyclone. On 13 December 1975, the Australian Labor Party is overwhelmingly defeated at the polls. Mr. Malcolm Fraser becomes Prime Minister. On 10 December 1977 the Australian Labor Party is again overwhelmingly defeated at the polls. Mr. Whitlam resigns from leadership of the ALP.

On 4 June 1977, Mr. Malcom Fraser, Prime Minister audiences with the Pope. We were wondering what disaster would befall Mr. Fraser as a result, but instead, on 6 August 1978, Pope Paul VI dies! Three months later, his successor, Pope John Paul I also dies unexpectedly. Mr. Fraser, however, is not yet out of the wood. His formula for curing the nation of inflation has met with disaster, for the nation is hit with the highest unemployment ever!

On 4 June 1975, President and Mrs. Ford audience with the Pope. On 4 November 1976 President Ford is defeated at the elections and Jimmy Carter becomes President.

Poland was visited by Pope John Paul II, 2 -11 June 1979, at the invitation of Chairman Edward Giereke, and was received by the people with overwhelming enthusiasm, as though he were a god. Sixteen months later, in September 1980, Mr. Giereke is sacked from office, following industrial unrest caused by Solidarity. Poland now suffers from high inflation, food shortage, and a record national debt of more than $25,000 million!

Mr. Lech Walesa, who emerged as leader of Solidarity, had an audience with the Pope on 14 January 1981 and received his "blessing", hoping thereby to strengthen his position and that of Solidarity. Instead on 14 December 1981, Solidarity is stripped of all its power by the imposition of martial law, and Mr. Walesa is held in military detention.

Pope John Paul visited the Philippine Islands on February 23 in 1980, as usual kissing the soil and blessing these islands. Since then these islands have been devastated by typhoon Kelly (3/7/81) Lynn (6/7/81) Clara (28/9/81) Irma (28/11/81) and Lee (28/12/81) with much loss of life and millions of dollars damage. Cardinal Sin, Archbishop of Manila, in another context is reported to have warned that the conditions in the Philippines are worsening, (The Age 2/1/81)
President Sadat of Egypt had an audience with the Pope on 14 February 1978. He was assassinated on 7 October 1981.

Prime Minister Masayashi Ohira welcomed the Pope John Paul II to Japan on 23 February 1980. He died of a heart attack on 12 June of the same year.

On May 1980, Pope John Paul II visited Accra in Ghana and is welcomed by Pres. Hilla Limann. On 1 January, 1982, a military coup-de-tat led by Fl Lt. Jerry Rawlings, ousts the government of Pres. Limann because of alleged corruption. He is arrested while attempting to flee the country.

On 2 June 1980, Pope John Paul II visited France and was given a state reception by Pres. Valery Giseard D’Estaing who also had a private audience with him. Hardly a year later in May 1981 he is defeated at the elections by Mr. François Mitterand the Socialist Party leader.

In December 1979 Pope John Paul II visited Turkey and was received as head of state by Prime Minister Suleiman Demirel. On 12 September 1980 Mr. Demirel is deposed in a bloodless coup-de-tat by Turkey’s military leaders led by Gen. Kenan Evren.

President Jimmy Carter not only highly eulogized Pope John Paul II when he visited the USA in October 1979, but even invited him to the White House and to address Congress! He followed it up by making a personal visit to the Vatican on 23 June 1980. He was soundly defeated at the elections in December 1980 by Mr. Ronald Reagan, who won a landslide victory. The double Papal "blessing" did not help!

Britain accepts the favor of a Papal visit—the first ever. Timed for May 1982, she is plunged into war with 95% Romanist Argentina only weeks before.

Now Ronald Reagan is to visit the Pope en route to Versailles. (What came of that?)
One of the classic examples of the Pope’s blessings boomeranging is that of Pakistan and India. A few years ago, the Pope visited these two unfortunate countries, and while it is true, famine and flood are no strangers to these two countries, the fact remains that no disaster in living memory was so intense and destructive as the floods which struck those countries in the year of 1970, unless it be the present cholera epidemic.

One could go on and on enumerating cases as above, but there is enough listed to prove that they are not coincidental.

If Papal blessings spell disaster, what of the CURSES of the Popes? Yes, they run in reverse, as the following one or two examples will demonstrate.

Pope Pius IX cursed King Victor Emmanuel, the liberator of Italy, and also the Italian Government that made Italy free and Rome its capital. The result has been the rise of Italy to the status of a modern civilized nation, and only suffered a set-back when the Pope blessed Mussolini and his troops.

Garibaldi was excommunicated by the Pope for all his patriotic endeavors, especially the overthrow of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. He became Italy’s hero, whose name was, and is, everywhere revered, and to whom noble monuments were erected.

When Bismark and the King of Prussia proscribed the Jesuits, the Pope cursed Prussia, with the result that it became a Great Power, overthrew Austria and France, and was for years the most powerful Empire in Western Europe—until, in an evil day, its ruler fraternized with the Pope.

The Papal curses, which the Popes leveled against Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, Sir Francis Drake and his merry men, brought untold blessings on England, while Papal blessings to Ireland have proved its ruin. How carefully therefore, should British sovereigns avoid by all means any interaction with the Papacy! Present day events tragically show that they have not learned their lesson after all!

It should go without saying, that everyone who values their lives and souls should shun the Vatican and the Pope like poison and have no communication or business with Rome.
　
It sure makes you wonder about all the times our 'leadership' in the denomination has RCC clergy to 'bless' our functions and pray and even preside in our college weeks of prayer!!!
Think also how things are ‘Prospering’ in the USA since all this buddy-buddy relations with the Vatican!

Do you realize that it was immediately after Constantine put forth Sunday Laws that Rome’s mighty Empire began to crumble! History shows the truth for those who wish to see it.

LIMITING GOD

Did you hear about the man who telephoned the U.S. Naval Department greatly excited to tell them he had found a way to destroy all enemy submarines? When the Admirals showed interest in his discovery, the caller eagerly explained that his plan involved setting the ocean in a boil so that all the submarines would be bubbled up to the surface where they could be destroyed. When they asked the man how he proposed to make the ocean start boiling, he replied, "Well, I've given you the plan, but you'll have to work out the details."

Of course, everybody knew that the caller was either a nut or some kind of a jokester making a prank telephone call. It is so ridiculous that we laugh at the whole preposterous suggestion of the man.

But today I want to point you to a text in the Bible that sounds almost as incredible as the ocean boiling idea. When we first read this verse, it sounds so unlikely that we have to blink and read it again to make sure that our eyes are not deceiving us. It is undoubtedly one of the most daring texts in all the Scriptures. Here it is, taken from the midst of Psalms 78 verse 41: "Yea, they turned back and tempted God and limited the Holy One of Israel." So there it is in all of its strange boldness. It actually says the poor weak human beings can limit the great God of the Universe. Is that possible, friends? How could it be? Surely there must be something here that we don't understand at first glance.

So let's look into the background and setting of this Psalm for a moment. The entire Psalm is a description of the children of Israel as they left the land of Egypt and traveled into the dry hot barren wilderness of Sinai. Behind them was Egypt where they had been slaves; but behind them was also the food supply and the water. It was worse than they had expected in the desert. They quickly grew faint and discouraged. Their hearts turned back to the land of Egypt where they, at least, had the necessities to keep alive. Now it seemed that they would perish; so they began to murmur and complain-against Moses, and even against God.

The Bible says they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. In spite of their miraculous deliverance from the hand of Pharaoh, they doubted that God was with them, and that He would take care of them. And the Bible says that this lack of faith limited God in what He wanted to do for them.

So that is what the text means, friends. We can never limit God in His purpose and plan for the Universe. He moves the planets and stars and suns in their appointed paths without consulting us. And no man has the power to change God's designs for a single heavenly body. But listen, you can still limit God and change God's plan concerning what He wants to do in your life! You are a free moral agent with the individual choice over your own life. Even God cannot accomplish His purpose for your life unless you permit Him. God can do nothing for you without your consent. All the miracle demonstration of grace in your heart was wonderful, but you had to agree to it. The shattering breakthrough against sin in your life was God's work, but you had to give permission for Him to carry out His plan for your deliverance. The simple fact is that we can limit the illimitable and powerful God of Heaven in what He would like to do in our lives. We can veto and nullify the plans that God laid for our lives long before we were born.

I want you to think about this today and ask yourself a question. What might your life be like today if you had fully cooperated with God, and had permitted Him to carry out His full purpose in your life? Believe me, friends, things would be altogether different with every one of us today.
The Holy Bible has some sad reading on this subject. For example, Jesus had gone back to His home town of Nazareth where He had grown into manhood. What a tremendous honor it was for that tiny village to welcome the Son of God-the Messiah-into their streets. But, do you know, they did not react as we might think they would to the visit of Christ. The would not receive Him, and they wouldn't listen to His message of truth because He was too plain and homespun. They rejected Him because He had lived in their town and was the son of the village carpenter. Notice what they said in Matthew 13:55,56: "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And his brothers James and Joses and Simon and Judas?. . . And they were offended in him. . . . And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief."
Listen, friends. Jesus wanted to work His miracles in Nazareth just as He had done in Capernaum. His relatives and neighbors lived in Nazareth; some of His boyhood playmates and friends were still in town. Perhaps some of them were sick or blind, and all of them needed to know the Saviour of the world. Jesus longed to touch them, to heal them, to lift their weight of sin and suffering, but He could not. They limited Jesus by their lack of faith. He could not deliver them.

How often we read in the Scriptures the words of Christ, "According to thy faith, be it unto you." And that is the limit of what Jesus can do for any one of us today. There are wonderful things that He wants to do for us now, just as He longed over the people of Nazareth. He has all power to meet every problem and need. He is ready to move in your behalf to smash obstacles out of your path. He holds the Universe in His hand, but He can't do a single thing for you unless you are willing. You can limit God still in His desires for your victory and your happiness.
And do you know how we do it, friends? Lack of faith is one thing that hinders, of course, but the Bible tells us about something else that completely frustrates our prayers and prevents God from doing His will for us. Here it is in Isaiah 59:1,2: "Behold the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." That is one of the most true and demonstratable statements in the entire Bible. Everywhere people are limiting God by their sins-their jealousy, their hatreds, doubts, impurities. Known sin is like a chain that binds and fetters until the experience stagnates and loses its vital, fervent element. Finally, the life begins to dry up, and the beautiful design of God is vetoed and nullified.

Listen, those sin barriers have to come down before God can do His miracles for you. He can still heal and deliver in this twentieth century as well as He did in the first. There is no limit to what can be accomplished, when the sin barrier is removed. According to thy faith, be it unto you!
About 160 years ago man could travel no faster than a horse could run. The horse barrier stood in the way of human progress. But in 1830 a tremendous thing happened-man broke through the horse barrier by inventing the "iron horse"-the locomotive that could outrun the fastest animal alive. Then one breakthrough followed another until two brothers learned how to overcome the tug of gravity, and mankind became airborne for the first time. But then the SONIC barrier appeared like an invisible demon to shake the stoutest plane to pieces as it approached the speed of sound. It seemed insurmountable, but finally the engineers designed a streamlined fuselage that solved the sonic problem.

Then the THERMAL barrier arose to threaten progress, causing the metal body to melt like butter as it approached the speed of Mach 3, or three times the speed of sound. New alloys were developed which withstood the fierce heats, and now the scientists declare that the "impossible" things are merely the things they haven't had quite enough time to work out yet. And they are probably right. But if the flesh is able to do all of this, what can the mighty arm of Omnipotence do if we only give God a chance? The "sin barrier" is the last obstacle standing in the way and preventing God from carrying out His purpose in your life and mine. How long will we keep limiting the illimitable God in His plans for our lives?

Now I want to point you to one of the most dramatic examples in the Bible to show what sin can do. It is found in Joshua 7:11-13. The armies of Israel had crossed over the river Jordan and were moving forward to occupy the land that God had given them. God had promised to deliver the enemy into their hands, so they confidently marched against a little town that stood in their way-the town of Ai. But to their dismay, every assault was thrown back and they seemed to have no power to stand against the little band of the enemy. Joshua was so discouraged that he rent his clothes, fell on his face before the Lord, and pleaded for an explanation. Well, the Lord gave him an explanation all right, and it wasn't a very pleasant one. He said, "Israel hath sinned . . . for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen . . . and they have put it even among their own stuff. Therefore the Children of Israel could not stand before their enemies." Verse 11.

That is right-somebody in the camp of Israel had broken the law of God. They had stolen something and hidden it in their tent, and the next day they found out that it was Achan. He had taken a goodly Babylonish garment and 200 shekels of silver, and it was buried in his tent. The Bible says they brought the accursed things from their hiding place "and laid them out before the Lord" (verse 23). Then Achan was destroyed for his presumptuous sin, and the armies marched forward to victory over all this town-their enemies in Ai.

Listen, doesn't this help explain why there is so little power in the lives of Christians today? Sometimes there are hidden sins-willful transgressions that have shut out the Spirit of God and the power of God. Those sins must be confessed. They must be laid out before the Lord before the victory can be granted. The blessing of Heaven falls only upon the obedient. Here is the proof for that statement, and I am reading it right out of the New Testament, Acts 7:32: "And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." Now there it is! The Holy Spirit is given only to those that obey Him. No wonder the modern church is so barren of power. They have rejected the Ten Commandments as out-of-date, and old-fashioned. Theologians, pastors and evangelists have turned their backs upon the great moral law that God wrote with His own hand, and have openly encouraged transgression. Some have denied the binding obligation of only certain of the Ten Commandments, but most of them have thrown aside the fourth one altogether. That is the one about the Sabbath Day which identifies the Creator as the only true God to be worshipped. The Sabbath was set aside, and made holy by God Himself and commanded by God and written by His hand. "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy, six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work. . . ."

Well, you already see what I am pointing out, don't you, friends? What does the commandment say? "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God . . ." Yet how many Christians even profess to keep that commandment today? The seventh day is Saturday, and it is used, contrary to God's express command, as a common day of work and business. The Bible says the blessing of God and the Spirit of God is given to those who obey Him.

Oh, how we need a revival in the churches today-a revival of obedience. And that kind of a revival would bring a spiritual revival also as the Spirit of God would be poured out upon those who loved Him enough to obey Him.