New Moon Meeting: April 2005, 3:08 EST
Marching In Step

Zahakiel: Luke, can you please pray for us?

Qinael: <nods.>

Holy and heavenly Father,

We come before you today in humility and love, remembering our former estate, and the new one you have given us. We thank you for your provisions to us, and for the gifts you have freely bestowed upon us, with the commission to share them with others, that all joy may be full in so doing.

We ask for your guidance and wisdom as we go into the study you have prepared for us, and may every heart be open to what you have for us to learn today.

In Yahshua’s name, amen.

Zahakiel: Amen :)
Pastor “Chick”: Amen.
Dumah: Amen.
Jeanie: Amen.
Barb: Amen.
LeaKatheryn: Amen.
Crystle: Amen.

Zahakiel: All right…

Recently, a member of our current fellowship was reading our New Moon study on Christian Unity. She came across a quotation that I made from Ellen White’s writings, and it is this one: “God is leading out a people, not a few separate individuals here and there, one believing this thing, another that. Angels of God are doing the work committed to their trust. The third angel is leading out and purifying a people, and they should move with him unitedly.” [Testimonies for the Church Volume One, page 207]

While some of the previous study covered what this means, she asked that we do a more in-depth examination of what it means to “move with him unitedly.” In the previous meeting we saw that there were two ways in which one could be “out of step,” and we will look at them both here. First, though, it may be good to define clearly what the “third angel” is, and how he is leading a united people. Let us spend some time doing that.

Here is the passage from which the reference is drawn; and we will look at the first and second angels as well to establish the progression of thought.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, “Fear Yah, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come; and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.’

“And there followed another angel, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:6-11)

Say when you are finished :)

Qinael: Finished.
LeaKatheryn: :)
Pastor “Chick”: OK.
Jeanie: Done.
Barb: Done.
Dumah: Ok.

Zahakiel: I believe we have already looked at the specifics of these three aspects of the Everlasting Gospel. By way of brief recap, we find that the Gospel, particularly as it applies to the last days, consists of three interconnected messages.

The first is to “fear Yah, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come.” The first step in accepting the Gospel is to realize that there is a judgment, and that mankind of itself falls far short of the standard for eternal life. Of course, the “good news” that goes along with this is that Christ provides a way of escape from the penalty of transgression. The first step, in its complete form, is to “Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God.” (1Corinthians 15:34) It is “knowlege of God,” specifically, knowledge of the “only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] hast sent,” that keeps one from sin, and results in everlasting life. (John 17:3)

The second part of the Everlasting Gospel declares an end to confusion. We remember that “Babylon” is confusion, and so under the second angel’s message, the Christian discovers that the “winds of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) blowing about the place are NOT, in fact, a part of Yahweh’s plan. Yah does NOT have a multitude of different Brides, and this leads right back to Ellen White’s quote. Paul said the same thing centuries earlier. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Romans 16:17)

Now of course, Paul could say that in the first century, when “the doctrine which ye have learned” was actually the right one. But that verse becomes dangerous in the hands of cults and false religions, which can use it to effectively stop their members from investigating the truth for themselves. The answer to that is the “Berean principle,” that of studying the Scriptures so that we will KNOW if the doctrine we have learned is the right one. (Acts 17:10, 11) Even so, the main thrust of Romans 16:17 is still right – divisions are not a part of the plan of Yah. Paul wrote that believers should “stand fast in one Spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.” (Phl 1:27)

This in turn echoes the prayer of Yahshua, who asked the Father that His followers “all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21) So there is a very strong consistency there.

If the Christian comes to first see himself as guilty under the law, and consequently to accept Christ, he has come under the influence of the first Gospel angel. But this is not the end of conversion!

The faith he has developed in Christ must be a “living” faith, a true faith that can endure trial and temptation. True faith always will.

The first test that comes to many who have truly awakened to righteousness is one that I have seen many people fail. Many are the cases of individuals who have accepted the Victory over sin. They have seen that yes, there CAN be an end to the confusion, and they rejoice to find others who believe as they now see is Scriptural and true. But then, the cost: they must come OUT from the confusion. It is not enough to understand that the confusion can end, and that there is a place in which it has ended. It now falls on the person to work by that newfound faith, and reject the confusion – by coming out of it.

While CSDAs protest the Trademark, and this has relevance (at this time) directly to the SDA Church, the failure to walk in step with the second angel is not unique to Adventism. I have had the opportunity to share the Victory message with individuals from independent churches, from Baptist churches, from those in various Sabbathkeeping bodies. They hear with joy, and accept the message... but then comes the test: to avoid the “leaven of the Pharisees” and depart from their initial fellowships.

Zahakiel: One person with whom I spoke in the past year said she loved all that I taught, but could not bring herself to depart from her weekly gatherings. This was a Sundaykeeping church, I don’t think I ever asked what specific form. She said she liked the people there, and would continue to go. I asked her, “Even though they teach things you no longer believe?” And she said, simply, “Yes.” Naturally, she was no longer interested in speaking with me very much about anything much. It wasn’t that I continually brought the matter to her attention – I didn’t have to; she knew that what she had claimed to receive demands a walk that is pure both without and within, and she was not able to maintain her inner purity with so much impurity being directed at her from the pulpit every 1st day of the week.

The Scripture, you see, is very often fulfilled, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up.

“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them; But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” (Matthew 13:3-8)

Now we see a parallel here that corresponds with the Messiah’s interpretation later in that chapter. The ones who have fallen on the wayside are immediately devoured. These are they who have not even accepted the first angel’s message. They never set down any roots, to take nourishment from the soil. They have never received the Victory over sin, and so the crows, the deceiving demons, snatch them up without any resistance.

The ones of whom I have been speaking, who accept the Victory but surrender it quickly when they see the cost, are like the second type. If they only accept it on the surface, they are scorched as soon as the “heat” is turned on. As soon as they realize it will mean surrendering the confusion to which they have been accustomed, they draw back. There is a reason for this, and it has to do with the interestingly fitting description given in Revelation, “the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her [Babylon’s] fornication.” (Rev 17:2) If you recall what drunkenness does to a person, you will understand what I mean.

The proverbs say that drunkenness is a rather unpleasant experience, “At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.” (Pro 23:32) Yet though it is unpleasant, the man who begins to recover from its effects often says, “When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.” (verse 35) For all its discomfort, drunkenness is an attractive state for the carnal mind.

Now, intoxication has other effects as well. The wise man says to the drunken, “Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.” (verse 33) Now, if physical wine causes a man to see “strange women” physically, what will spiritual wine do?

Qinael: See strange churches.

Zahakiel: Right :)

The spiritual wine of Babylon presents many false choices for the Christian; and worse, it attracts them TO these false choices even though the experience is (to the spirit) unpleasant. Babylon (confusion) is not merely called a “harlot,” or an adulterous woman. No indeed, she is called the “mother of harlots” for, like Legion, she represents “many.” (Rev 17:5, Mark 5:9) If a nominal believer claims that there are “many Churches,” all equally valid, or “many fellowships,” all blessed with great and saving truth, we can be sure that this person is not yet past his or her spiritual hangover. It is all confusion, all a great cloud of poisonous gas – an endless bickering over doctrines, and dates, and qualifications, and the like.

Now we come to the place of the third angel.

Zahakiel: We read, again, “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.” (Revelation 14:6-11)

Say when.

Qinael: Done.
LeaKatheryn: Done.
Jeanie: Done.
Pastor “Chick”: OK.
Crystle: Finished.
Dumah: Yep.
Barb: Ok.

Zahakiel: So here is the progression of faith, as we have seen it thus far: The Christian has accepted guilt under the law, then freedom under Christ. He has seen and believed that there is an end to confusion, and a single, pure, Bride. He has come out from among the drunken, and seeks a more sober fellowship. But now... where IS that fellowship?

It is one that has dedicated itself to spiritual purity, and that PROTESTS any mixing of the sacred and the profane. We know from our previous studies that the “mark of the beast” is established by the false woman (an apostate church) riding a beast (an earthly kingdom). Just as a lot of people will not surrender their current, Babylonian fellowship, and thus fall out of step with the second angel, so many cannot come into line with the third.

A number of people have told me, “You guys teach a lot of truth, but why all this commotion about the trademark law?” Or they will say, “If only you focused more on the Gospel, and less on what the SDA Conference is doing.” These are the common objections we sometimes get, when we present the Trademark teaching to people.

You see, they do not realize that the third angel’s message is part of the “Everlasting Gospel.” It is not enough to initially accept Christ if you do not continue in His doctrine. (1Timothy 4:16) It is not enough to come out of a false fellowship... if one does not join himself to the true. And how do we know the true? That is where the third angel comes in.

We know the true Bride, because It bears all three parts of the Gospel: to fear Yah and worship Him in spirit and in truth, to recognize the confusion in the nominal Christianity of the last days, and finally to avoid the “mark of the beast.” If we do not know what the mark is, we will not be able to avoid it.. and hence, preaching most strongly against unions of Church and state – which verily FORM the mark – is a part of a Christian’s duty, as much as telling of Christ’s love by which this is all possible. Those who are unable to see that this, too, is love do not yet understand Yahweh’s kind of love. His love is not merely “good feelings,” but a fiery, jealous guardianship of our spiritual purity. (Zech 8:2)

You notice that of all the 10 commandments, the warnings associated with idolatry are the most stern; (Exo 20:4-6) and there is reason for this. Idolatry (the worship of images, including the “image” of the beast that generates the mark) leads humans away from the very Source of life; it is death. If any principle, government or church violates the Law of Yahweh, in either letter OR spirit, human beings must be warned – for love’s sake – lest they begin to worship that idol and consequently be lost.

Is everyone understanding this progression of angels, and what they are for?

Jeanie: Yes.
Pastor “Chick”: Yes.
Qinael: <nods.> I am.
LeaKatheryn: Yes. :)
Barb: Yes.
Dumah: Yeah.

Jeanie: In fact, I kept wanting to ask: What is the first angel’s message? What is the second angel’s message? What is the third angel’s message? But this pulls it all together!

Zahakiel: Good :)

Now, you notice that right after the three angels’ message is given in that chapter of Revelation, it says “HERE are they that keep the commandments of Yah, and the faith of Yahshua.” (Rev 14:12) So we see that the purpose of the three is to identify the Church. Remember also, we looked at how the Parable of the Sower identifies those who did not come into step with the first and second angels’ messages. There is a third as well.

If the hearer accepts the message more deeply than the others, but lets the “thorns” around them – the leaven of nominal Christians, the dangers of unsanctified fellowship, the cares of this world, the defects of their character that they will neither admit nor surrender... If they let these “thorns” affect them, they have not come into line with the third angel, and so they will not “endure to the end” and be saved. (Matthew 10:22) You notice from the parable, there are three ways to fall short, and one way to bring forth fruit; this is not a coincidence.

The third angel, as revealed in the Scriptures and mentioned by Ellen White, is the one that organizes the Church under the “present truth.” It is the one that points out what we should be protesting as “Protestants,” and how to keep ourselves pure from Babylon in a rapidly declining world. Without the third angel, the first two bear an incomplete message, and one that will not lead us to survive the pressures of the coming Tribulation. We may have a knowledge of Christ and recognize that Christendom is confused, but if we are not united under the third angel – all FOR the same things, and all AGAINST the same things – we will not be able to stand. If there were no need for fellowship, we would not be told to fellowship, “and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Zahakiel: To be out of step with the third angel means: you can believe what the Church teaches, but you are not bearing the same message, with the same focus, or with the same conviction. You’ll constantly be asking, “Well, what’s the big deal about this doctrine, or that doctrine?” But really, if an individual’s focus is on any doctrine other than the Victory over sin, and teaching people how to avoid false churches that have accepted the mark of the beast, he or she is not “moving with [the third angel] unitedly.”

Does anyone have any questions about this so far?

Qinael: I do not have any.

Dumah: I have one after the meeting.

Barb: No.

Jeanie: No.

Zahakiel: Ok. <nods.>

All right, it’s important that you understand the progression that got us here, because we’re going to look for a little bit at how one may be “out of step” with the third angel specifically... although of course the principles may apply to either of the previous two as well.

So as mentioned in our previous study about unity, there are two ways you can be out of step. The first way is that you can rush ahead of the angel.

This is when people take the ministry into their own hands, as it were, and do not rely on the Body for support and confirmation of actions. A lot of “independent ministries” claim allegiance with established Churches in an attempt to gain credibility, and for precedent, they will claim that they are following the tradition of Paul. To be sure, some of Paul’s writings appear, at first glance, to support this sort of individualistic approach to evangelism.

For example, in one place he writes, when speaking of his authority as an apostle, “For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.” (2 Corinthians 11:5) In another place he writes, “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:9)

Some have taken the phrase “seemed to be pillars” to represent something of a derogatory attitude toward the appointments of Peter, and James and John. In addition, some commentators have imagined that there was a conflict between James and Paul regarding the Law, for they perceive James to be “zealous for the law” when he says things like, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) On the other hand, they believe that Paul takes a more liberal position, for he writes, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” (Romans 10:4)

Of course, we have looked at Paul’s position on Yahweh’s Law in the book of Romans during a previous study, and we know there is absolutely no conflict there. Similarly, there is no tension between Paul and the other apostles in the previous Scriptures either. In 2 Corinthians, Paul is merely contending for his equality with (not superiority over) the other apostles. This was very important, because there were some who believed that only people who had been with Christ from the beginning could legitimately be considered an “apostle.” Even the Twelve thought this for a time, for Peter said, when choosing a replacement for Judas, “Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Yahshua went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection.” (Acts 1:21, 22)

You see, the only ones they even considered to fill the space left by Judas were those who were around “from the baptism of John.”

In the Galatians 2 verse, Paul states that Peter, James and John “seemed to be pillars,” in order to demonstrate that these three had more visible standing in the eyes of the general members of the Church. He then goes on to say that these very ones affirmed his ministry by offering him the “right hands of fellowship.” That was, of course, his point – that he was accepted by the others (even the “big three”) as a co-worker. Furthermore, in the verse just above it he says that Yah “wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision.” (verse 8) This is hardly belittling of the position of the other apostles. In fact, rather than being at odds with James, Paul submitted to his judgment regarding undergoing a “purification ceremony,” although that ended up getting him into trouble with the Sanhedrin. (Acts 21:17-26) So we see that Paul, though his ministry was often physically distant from that of the other apostles, was not independent of them.

This is a great testimony to Paul’s humility, for he was “a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee,” (Acts 23:6) meaning a Hebrew citizen of high standing, and well educated. He also affirms this elsewhere, saying of himself that he was “brought up in this city [Tarsus] at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God.” (Acts 22:3)

That is a list of credentials any Jewish man would be proud to have; yet after his conversion, we find that Paul spent time studying with the apostles before embarking on any kind of long-term public teaching. He spent a fifteen-day period with Peter initially, (Galatians 1:18) and then with was with the other disciples in Syria and Cicilia for fourteen years thereafter. (verses 21-24, 2:1) Think on that; fourteen years is a long time. And of course, Paul spoke with individuals all through this period, as Acts tells us, convincing them that Yahshua was the Messiah. But we are speaking here of his sutained ministry, to the Gentles all over those parts of the world.

In the Church of Christ, even scattered as we are today over the world, we have members with various talents. Some are good at speaking, others at writing, some are good with finances, and some have natural gifts for evangelism, for encouraging, for counseling. Yet for all these things, no one gift is greater, or of more importance to the Church than the other. It is true, Paul lists “prophecy” as a greater gift than “speaking in tongues,” for example; so from the individual’s point of view, some abilities are generally more useful than others. But at the same time, the greatest of prophets can do no good if his or her audience cannot understand what is being said. In terms of Church effectiveness, all are equal.

We remember that Moses was considered one of the greatest of the Old Testament prophets, yet he was “very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3) Similarly, Paul was undoubtedly among the greatest of the apostles regarding knowledge of the Scriptures and spiritual insight. It takes humility, therefore, to avoid the first pitfall, running ahead of the third angel. We have met individuals with wonderful abilities. They have studied with us, and demonstrated various gifts that we would love to see employed in the business of saving souls. Yet we have seen some of these become corrupted by strange ideas, by suspicious minds, by unexpressed concerns, by unresolved issues. Those who do not fall away completely (and most who find themselves in the above circumstances do) have said things like, “I would still like to study with you, and work with you in my own ministry.” This is abomination to Yahweh, and precisely WHY Christianity ended in the Babylonian position it now endures.

It is a complete rejection of the safeguards provided to us for the ensuring the accuracy of Christian doctrine: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Yahshua the Messiah, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10)

If we are going to be “perfectly joined together” a lot of that kind of foolishness has to be put away. Paul said, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1Cor 14:40) Time and again he, the very one used as an excuse for independent ministries, would reaffirm the order in the Church and teach respect for Its officials. “And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” (1Cor 12:28) “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” (1Tim 5:17, 19)

So that is how one may “rush ahead” of the third angel, and we see that humility is its remedy. Are there any questions on this idea?

Qinael: I do not have any.
Barb: No.
LeaKatheryn: No.
Crystle: No.
Dumah: Sounds very good and simple.

Zahakiel: Okay, so that is the first half of the matter of being out of step with the third angel. Now, the ditch on the other side of the road is that one may lag behind.

You will remember that when looking at the parable of Christ, I gave a list of reasons why the “thorns” choked the seed. I will list them again here, they are these: “the leaven of nominal Christians, the dangers of unsanctified fellowship, the cares of this world, the defects of their character that they will neither admit nor surrender.” While this is not an exhaustive list by any means, its elements were not arbitrarily chosen.

The first two ways in which the sprout may be choked tend to cause individuals to run ahead of the third angel. Leaven (unless it is specifically the leaven of discouragement) causes individuals to think they have a “better idea,” because they may like certain elements of the churches they never really left behind. The dangers of unsanctified fellowship may lead to the same or, as we saw in a recent case, someone not walking in victory may suggest suspicions to one who is attempting to do so. The resulting “evil surmising” leads to no end of problems for everyone involved. This also is a “rushing ahead” of the third angel.

But the other two reasons cause some to lag behind. The cares of this world will have people constantly looking back. The angels that were attempting to lead Lot out of Sodom are a perfect type of the second and third Gospel angel. Lot and his daughters kept pace with the divine guides, but his wife kept lagging behind. It is written, “[Lot’s] wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) In the Gospel of Luke we find a brief, but significant, warning about lagging behind because of worldly considerations (as the context of that chapter indicates): “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32)

Those who are more concerned with the cares of this world: job, or money, or family, or desires for the future, will not find life. Christ said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mat 16:24) Again, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Mat 10:37-39)

So “cares of this world” is one cause for lagging. Similarly, unconfessed defects of character cause one to fall behind. There may actually be two types of situation covered by this one.

If an individual has known defects of character, but hides it from the others, he or she will obviously never feel at home in the Church. Life becomes a wearying exercise of keeping secrets, embellishing the truth, omitting important details, in order to “fit in.” The “mixed multitude” following the Israelites from Egypt, we are told, were the cause of much of the backsliding and confusion. But now here is an important matter... Finding your place in Christ is not the same as “fitting in” in the worldly sense.

Fitting in implies that you’ve managed to squeeze into a convenient place in the wall so you won’t stand out. Finding your place means standing firm in the “you-shaped gap” in the wall mentioned in our unity study, and helping to support the building! You are not avoiding notice, although you are engaged in “active rest.” You can tell the difference between someone trying to “fit in” and someone who has “found his place.” The one who has found his place has a mission. He or she knows what Yahshua wants them to do for the Church, and does it gladly. It may not be a big, or visible, thing... but it is something that leads to the salvation of souls.

Not one stroke of a brush, to take the dust off a pew in the Sanctuary, is wasted. Did you know, even the dust on the floor of the Tabernacle was holy? Read the procedure for making the “Water that causeth the curse” in Numbers 5 when you have the chance It just goes to show you, nothing is a “small” thing with our Creator, and washing the dishes or taking out the trash can be an act of worship. Every little helpful act draws you closer to Christ, not because He rewards works per se, but because you offer yourself – your time, your talents – to the improvement of His Body on the earth. This is the essence of a relationship – and not just with the Savior, but with each other as well.

Those who “move unitedly” with the third angel have, basically, found their place.

Zahakiel: Now at best, the person trying to fit in is just taking up space. At worst, he or she drags others back as well. Both encouragement and discouragement are highly contagious, and the purpose of fellowship is to encourage. Paul says, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) Only those who have found their place, and are thus in step with the third angel, can really do this effectively. Others may try, and occasionally have a good word here or there – but there is always going to be some element of leaven with it, because “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Mat 12:34)

So that is the first of two things, having a known defect. But there is a second, and it can be a bit more subtle; Yah may be attempting to show someone a defect previously unknown. We are told by our Father, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Rev 3:19) When this occurs, the individual may not, at first, recognize it as a chastening. Something unpleasant may happen to us. We may find a strong temptation toward a “bad habit.” We may find others telling us that we have issues keeping commitments, or promises. These things are evidences of a problem somewhere. Of course, not every bad event in our lives is a direct chastisement (regarding the first of those things I listed). It does mean we should examine the situation to see if there was anything we needed to learn, however.

But in terms of the effect all these kinds of situations have on us, all manner of symptoms may be noted. Some may feel irrational guilt, and possibly without even knowing the source. Others may feel that “something is wrong,” and may either assume they are doing something wrong or (worse) project it unto other members of the Church. By “projection” I mean that some may have a log in their own eye, and it causes them to see splinters in the eyes of everyone (or someone) around them. (Mat 7:4, 5)

The thing to take away from this part of the study is that defects in character always manifest themselves in some way, whether they are known defects or not. Now, a converted Christian will not have “known” defects; and so we would seek in that case to bring such a one into conformity with the three angels’ message. One who has unknown defects may be walking in all the Victory currently understood, but the chastisement is an invitation to a higher place, a closer conformity to the third angel’s progress.

Is everyone understanding this?

Qinael: I am.
LeaKatheryn: Yes.
Jeanie: Yes.
Barb: Ok.

LeaKatheryn: It is a form of purification, in a way.

Zahakiel: Right. It is the walk of sanctification.

We may draw closer to the ideal character of Christ, IF we allow ourselves to have our defects revealed, and then overcome. So then, if helpful, loving brethren are around, these may gently bring an issue to an individual’s attention. This is what we are here for, and particularly on New Moons. As the study on unity pointed out, the “stones of the Temple,” which stones we are, (1Peter 2:5) must be polished before they can fit securely into the wall of Christian character.

We have looked at the “seal of Yah” in various ones of our studies, and we see that one receives this distinctive seal with they are so settled in the truth – walking so closely with the leading angel – that they “cannot be moved.” Here again, it takes self-denial to overcome the defects that show themselves, and it takes self-denial to accept the negative consequences of our actions.

So, if the cure for running ahead of the third angel is humility, the remedy for lagging behind is self-denial. Whatever the reason for lagging behind, whether it is the care of this world, hiding or avoiding confronting a defect, or just plan laziness in spiritual matters, denying self allows us to put away the things “we” think we should be doing, and puts us firmly in place laboring in Yahshua’s vineyard. In order to find pace with the Gospel angels, therefore, particularly the third – and in order to maintain that pace, the two key characteristics must be possessed by the Christian: true humility, and self-denial.

If we have these two, we will both be humble and willing to actually CHANGE the things about which we have been corrected. Neither of these is going to have any lasting benefit without the other. But in this way, with both these qualities, unity is not only possible, it becomes the natural effect on a set of hearts all following the same Spirit of liberty and truth.

This was not a very long study, but I believe it touches on a few very key areas. So, before we close with prayer, does anyone have any final questions about this topic?

Jeanie: No; all clear.

Pastor “Chick”: Praise YAHweh.

Zahakiel: All right. Pastor, can you please close our meeting :)

Pastor “Chick”: Dear Father in Heaven,

Thank you for your Word, and the simplicity of the Gospel of “Christ in you the Hope of glory.” As we continue in the third angels’ messages, may we be ever learning and coming to deeper understandings of your will, not only for us as individuals, but for the corporate Body of Christ...

Dismiss us from this meeting with your great Love and Guidance, for we pray in the name of YAHshua, your only begotten Son – Amen.

Zahakiel: Amen :)
Rachel: Amen.
Dumah: Amen.
Jeanie: Amen.
Barb: Amen.
Crystle: Amen.

Zahakiel: Okay, I will close this window and save the transcript, but if any have questions (as one or two indicated) for after the meeting, I will be online. And I will try to have the transcript up before the weekend ends :)