By Dionne Sabbay Thompson
By definition, “…sin is the transgression of the law” (See Exodus 20 and 1John 3:4). From the summer to the fall of 1844, Adventism was at its purest state (Revelation 3:7-13, Great Controversy pages 401-403). In 1859, however because of failure to adhere to the Word, this corporate body became lukewarm (Testimonies for the Church Volume1 page 186). Revelation 6:9-11 unveils truth regarding the fifth seal, revealing that symbolically, the blood of the dead saints are crying “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth” (Revelation 6:10)? The Adventist world has been delaying this resolution, as before Christ can return, there must be a remnant of 144,000 fully ripe in Christian Character, vindicating God’s Character and Government; answering the inconclusive question regarding the great controversy between the kingdoms of righteousness and iniquity, by demonstration. “Regarding character development, wisdom is the righteous use of knowledge, and sin is the unrighteous use of knowledge (Exodus 20, Isaiah 32:17, Romans 13:10, 14:23, 1Corinthians 13:4-8, 1John 3:4). Power without God’s Wisdom is destructive, and wisdom without righteous power is useless (Proverbs 11:19, Luke 1:17, Romans 1:20, 1Corinthians 2:4-5, James 1:15)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 100].
The Kingdom of Grace was the immediate remedy for the son of God’s sin issue on earth. “The kingdom of grace was instituted immediately after the fall of man, when a plan was devised for the redemption of the guilty race” (Great Controversy page 347). As a direct result of Adam’s transgression, his reproductive line became perverted by sin, similar to when grape juice becomes fermented and tainted, unable to be restored to its unfermented state. Solely God can restore a human spirit to complete holiness or sanctity, protecting its contents from the second death (1Corinthians 15:45, Revelation 20:14)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 46].
“Christians must reform their ways, teaching the world about the need to abstain from worldly, earthly appetites and lusts: unhealthful diets, smoking, alcohol consumption, dangerous meat eating, caffeine consumption, pornography, television addiction, diabolical video games, cursing, worldly adornment, attending bars and worldly concerts, just to mention a few (1Corinthians 6:19, 10:31, Manuscript Releases Volume 18 page 353, The Ministry of Healing page 332)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 83].
Although Moses was the first to be raised from the dead, Yeshua/Christ being the eighth raised from the dead, represents Preeminence: and, He is the first fruits of them that slept; representing the resting righteous saints (1Corinthians 15:20). “Within Hebrews 11:40, Paul elaborates on the harvest principle, concluding that beginning from Abel, the first righteous martyr, the Word describes biblical history leading directly into the Dark ages, edifying that ‘God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect’” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection pages 24-25]. Paul edifies that the dead in Christ shall rise first, at the Second Advent, dependent on the righteous living’s character perfection in the Lord (1Thessalonians 4:16-18). All the dead in Christ were dependent on Christ’s sinless life and resurrection: as “… Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23). Both Moses and Elijah were on the mount of transfiguration as a means of motivation for Christ and his disciples (Matthew 17:1-12).
A trumpet in biblical terms signifies a warning of impending judgment. Whenever we hear the terms former and latter rain, it applies to the Adventist World. The Message of the latter rain is designed to effect a healing, reformation and restoration process among Advent Believers. The loud cry message was designed to restore what was lost within the starting generations, yet sadly the fact that we are still here on earth means that the Corporate church has failed to heed the final cry of the True Witness (Revelation 18:1-5). 2Chronicles 20:15-26 reveals that Jehoshaphat and company were victorious as they left their battle to God. “Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's” (2Chronicles 20:15). Similarly, in July of 2010, the battle is not ours: it is God’s battle.
There will be two harvests. “At the close of the world’s probation, there will be two separate and distinct harvests. Revelation 14 mentions a harvest of both righteousness and iniquity, and both crops will grow unto full maturity. Incidentally, God’s mercy has been extended (Early Writings pages 36-38). Sincere believers must not however consider the extension of God’s mercy as untimely, but it is in fact His righteous extension of mercy and grace, as since 1844 A.D., following Christ’s movement into the Most Holy apartment of the Heavenly sanctuary: He has bore long with His saints, pleading for their complete sealing. Followers of Christ must thus reproduce His character, preparing for the righteous harvest’s reaping involving God’s pure and true remnant (Mark 4:26-29, Revelation 14:14-16, The Faith I Live By page 287)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection pages 35-36]. When the wicked are fully aware of the cause of sin and its originator, Satan, they will turn swords on themselves and other wicked individuals; similar to what occurred during the war of Jehoshaphat. All those that take up there sword to kill will perish by the sword. “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matthew 26:52). God’s government bears principles contrary to the destructive kingdoms of Satan (John 8:44, 18:36; 1John 4:8, 16, 19).
Regarding the parable of the wheat and the tares, “God’s third angel of Revelation 14:6-12 ‘...is the angel that is to select the wheat from the tares, and seal, or bind, the wheat for the heavenly
Garner’ (Early Writings page 118)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 15]. The Message of Righteousness by faith is the Third Angel’s message, as historically EGW writes that many pondered this essential question. “’Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, ‘It is the third angel’s message in verity’ (1Selected Messages page 372)” [A Soul Sealed at Character Perfection page 94].
In 2010, while polluting planet earth, sin functions as a deadly pathogen, causing destruction. God’s remnant will however be victorious over this deadly viral contagion, manifesting Christlike characters that are harvest ripe or mature with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, while triumphing over sin (Matthew 5:48, James 1:12-15, 1John 3:8-9).
