1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

God created us because He wants a place to dwell. God is in more than just humans. God exists in every living thing. We have a responsibility to care for our temple.

1 Corinthians 10:31
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Do the right thing for your body. God wants us to be healthy and happy.

Proverbs 23:26-35
My son, give me your heart,
      And let your eyes observe my ways.
       27 For a harlot is a deep pit,
      And a seductress is a narrow well.
       28 She also lies in wait as for a victim,
      And increases the unfaithful among men.
       29 Who has woe?
      Who has sorrow?
      Who has contentions?
      Who has complaints?
      Who has wounds without cause?
      Who has redness of eyes?
       30 Those who linger long at the wine,
      Those who go in search of mixed wine.
       31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
      When it sparkles in the cup,
      When it swirls around smoothly;
       32 At the last it bites like a serpent,
      And stings like a viper.
       33 Your eyes will see strange things,
      And your heart will utter perverse things.
       34 Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
      Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying:
       “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”
      
Some Christians still use Alcohol. The Bible makes it very clear that alcohol is very dangerous-Do not look at wine is what God says in the Bible. The impact of alcohol on society is staggering. Broken homes, divorces, deaths, illness, disabilities are some of the problems caused directly by alcohol.

1 Timothy 5:21-23
I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

God says to take the subject of strong drink seriously. The Greek word ‘Oinos’ means fermented and unfermented wine. The fruit of the vine is unfermented wine which we call juice. Paul is referring to grape juice to heal Timothy’s stomach problems. Grape juice has more health benefits than fermented wine. Grape juice is great for the heart and strengthening the immune system. Alcohol destroys blood platelets.

Isaiah 65:8
Thus says the LORD:
As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, ‘Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,’ So will I do for My servants’ sake, That I may not destroy them all.

Deuteronomy 29:18-20
So that there may not be among you man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations, and that there may not be among you a root bearing bitterness or wormwood; 19 and so it may not happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart’—as though the drunkard could be included with the sober.
20 “The LORD would not spare him; for then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy would burn against that man, and every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the LORD would blot out his name from under heaven.

Alcohol is a poison and acts like gall inside the body. Gall is like a parasite. Some Christians say that Jesus turned the water into wine-that Jesus drank wine and made wine. Fermentation is decomposition which is a result of sin. Another word is rotting. In order to get alcohol you have to have decomposition. If Jesus had ever made real alcoholic wine he would have created fermented wine as a result of sin. Jesus would thus have created a way for people to fall into sin. Impossible! Jesus is the only human that has been on the earth without sin. Jesus did not create alcoholic wine. He was sinless on the earth. Jesus did make grape juice.

Leviticus 11:46-47
‘This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, 47 to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten.’

God gives us clear instruction about what we should eat and put into our bodies.

Leviticus 11:1-20
Foods Permitted and Forbidden

 1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth: 3 Among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud—that you may eat. 4 Nevertheless these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud or those that have cloven hooves: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 5 the rock hyrax, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 6 the hare, because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves, is unclean to you; 7 and the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 Their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch. They are unclean to you.
9 ‘These you may eat of all that are in the water: whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers—that you may eat. 10 But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. 11 They shall be an abomination to you; you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination. 12 Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales—that shall be an abomination to you.
13 ‘And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, 14 the kite, and the falcon after its kind; 15 every raven after its kind, 16 the ostrich, the short-eared owl, the sea gull, and the hawk after its kind; 17 the little owl, the fisher owl, and the screech owl; 18 the white owl, the jackdaw, and the carrion vulture; 19 the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat.
20 ‘All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you.

Many animals have 3 or 4 stomachs. Pigs only have sweat glands at the hoof and snout. Pigs are very toxic animals. God said don’t eat pork because it is unclean.

Acts 10:1-15
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”

Acts 10:28
Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

God gave Peter a vision that had nothing to do with what to eat. The vision was about being a Jew and mingling with Gentiles.

Isaiah 66:17
Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, To go to the gardens After an idol in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together,” says the LORD.

Abomination is referring back to Leviticus 11.

1 Corinthians 6:19
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

1 Timothy 4:1-5
The Great Apostasy
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

God has set apart in His Word what is clean and unclean. When Paul wrote this letter, only the Old Testament existed. The Word of God set apart what to eat.

Deuteronomy 32:31-33
For their rock is not like our Rock, Even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom And of the fields of Gomorrah; Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter. 33 Their wine is the poison of serpents, And the cruel venom of cobras.

The word gall appears again. The vine is a poisonous plant that produced poppy which is where heroin comes from. Drug usage was going on during Sodom and Gomorrah before the Flood. It is wrong to do drugs including substances like nicotine, caffeine, and heroin. God wants us to be happy. We should give up bad habits that God says to avoid at all cost. We can have victory over substances when we ask God into our hearts.

This is the Bible study given on 16. March 2011 at Bellingham, Washington Seventh-day Adventist church by Pastor Korter.

I had a business commitment the night Pastor Korter presented this Bible study about the remnant church. I copied the verses Brandon gave and will share them here without any commentary. If you are in Bellingham, Washington on Wednesday evening, come to the Bellingham Seventh-day Adventist church for an excellent Bible study at 7pm.

1 Timothy 3:15
But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
 
Acts 2:41
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
 
Acts 2:47
Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
 
Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
 
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
     
Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 22:8-9
Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
9 Then he said to me, See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.

Revelation 12:14-17
But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation 14:6-7
Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.

Genesis 2:1-3
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

Revelation 13:11-18
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

It is not popular in today’s society to chose sides. Imagine being a writer that has worked on getting a book published. You have submitted your manuscript to a publisher. After a couple of weeks, the publisher responds that you left out one important element in your manuscript. There is no conflict in your story so the book is rejected.

Conflict is non-negotiable, it is an essential and fundamental reality of life on this planet today. Here are just a few examples of conflict:

Husband and wife arguing
Political parties bashing each other
A fight right inside of you – your good side versus your bad side.

God is a good God – a God of Peace. Time is coming soon when the world will be a place of peace. There will be no more conflict. Conflict is the fruit of sin. Our culture today does not want to accept and believe that. Sin’s lowest common denominator is selfishness. Lucifer started selfishness.

Isaiah 14:12-15
The Fall of Lucifer
12 How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘ I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Lucifer’s selfishness is that he was the greatest creation of God and he said he will take the place of God. Lucifer developed ‘I’ trouble – it’s all about me. Whenever self gets in the way, conflict is the result. People get self absorbed. This is where the Great Controversy began – the great war that lead to all future wars in this world.

Imagine going into an art gallery and you are blind folded. You are placed right up against a wall and the blind fold is removed. You are asked what you see. You notice some yellow and grey because you are just one inch from the wall. You are told to move a couple of inches away from the wall and then you are asked to share what you now see. You can see some parts of the body and a few more colors. Then you are asked to move a few feet away from the wall and you then realize you are looking at the Mona Lisa that was painted by Leonardo da Vinci.

This story is showing us that we may not see the big picture until we can look from a different perspective. Before sin came into the world there were no sides. After the Great Controversy happened in heaven, we had to chose sides. The choices have been:

Good versus evil
Positive versus negative
Light versus dark
Christ versus satan

Some people chose neither side. When you are traveling on an airplane and a conversation begins with those sitting around you, sooner or later you ask each other what your occupation is. When Pastor Korter was flying home from his recent trip to Venezuela, he had a conversation with a woman sitting close by. When Pastor Korter disclosed that he was a Pastor, the woman became defensive and looked at him differently. She would not keep eye contact and stated that she felt there was more than 2 sides to the Great Controversy. This woman says she is independent.

The root of wanting to be independent is sin. If we are going to be a real Christian, we need to be rooted in God and be a part of His Church. To not chose is to chose the other side away from God. When we feel that it is all about I and me, we are on a slippery slope and have landed on Satan’s side.

We must chose where we will stand. People who admire their own intellectual power may protest. Post modernism says there is not one truth – what is true for you may not be true for me. Many people are comfortable with many shades of grey even though it is a black and white topic.

Joshua 24:15
15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

There is such a thing with pure truth – love – being totally loyal – God’s truth has no error in it. Compromise may seem possible but it is not if we are going to make it into heaven. Choosing God’s side is being in the minority.

Matthew 7:13-14
 
13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Many people will walk through the narrow gate but just a few are trying to apply the truth in their life. Many are not looking. It seemed Adam and Eve were doomed. God could have said: “You sinned – that’s it, you had your chance – you’re gone. But God chose to give them a choice to be saved. You and I have been given the same choice.

Abel brought a lamb to sacrifice on the altar to God. Abel’s lamb represented Jesus. Cain brought the fruit of his labor to the altar. Cain trusted more in his own human effort. God accepted Abel’s sacrifice – Cain got jealous and killed his brother Abel. This very same principle applies to us today.

Patriarchs and Prophets written by Ellen White page 72
[This chapter is based on Genesis 4:1-15.]

Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character. Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator’s dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption. But Cain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam’s sin. He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan’s fall–indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority.

These brothers were tested, as Adam had been tested before them, to prove whether they would believe and obey the word of God. They were acquainted with the provision made for the salvation of man, and understood the system of offerings which God had ordained. They knew that in these offerings they were to express faith in the Savior whom the offerings typified, and at the same time to acknowledge their total dependence on Him for pardon; and they knew that by thus conforming to the divine plan for their redemption, they were giving proof of their obedience to the will of God. Without the shedding of blood there could be no remission of sin; and they were to show their faith in the blood of Christ as the promised atonement by offering the firstlings of the flock in sacrifice. Besides this, the first fruits of the earth were to be presented before the Lord as a thank offering.

The two brothers erected their altars alike, and each brought an offering. Abel presented a sacrifice from the flock, in accordance with the Lord’s directions. “And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” Fire flashed from heaven and consumed the sacrifice. But Cain, disregarding the Lord’s direct and explicit command, presented only an offering of fruit. There was no token from heaven to show that it was accepted. Abel pleaded with his brother to approach God in the divinely prescribed way, but his entreaties only made Cain the more determined to follow his own will. As the eldest, he felt above being admonished by his brother, and despised his counsel.

Cain came before God with murmuring and infidelity in his heart in regard to the promised sacrifice and the necessity of the sacrificial offerings. His gift expressed no penitence for sin. He felt, as many now feel, that it would be an acknowledgment of weakness to follow the exact plan marked out by God, of trusting his salvation wholly to the atonement of the promised Savior. He chose the course of self-dependence. He would come in his own merits. He would not bring the lamb, and mingle its blood with his offering, but would present his fruits, the products of his labor. He presented his offering as a favor done to God, through which he expected to secure the divine approval. Cain obeyed in building an altar, obeyed in bringing a sacrifice; but he rendered only a partial obedience. The essential part, the recognition of the need of a Redeemer, was left out.

So far as birth and religious instruction were concerned, these brothers were equal. Both were sinners, and both acknowledged the claims of God to reverence and worship. To outward appearance their religion was the same up to a certain point, but beyond this the difference between the two was great.

“By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Hebrews 11:4. Abel grasped the great principles of redemption. He saw himself a sinner, and he saw sin and its penalty, death, standing between his soul and communion with God. He brought the slain victim, the sacrificed life, thus acknowledging the claims of the law that had been transgressed. Through the shed blood he looked to the future sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made, he had the witness that he was righteous, and his offering accepted.

Cain had the same opportunity of learning and accepting these truths as had Abel. He was not the victim of an arbitrary purpose. One brother was not elected to be accepted of God, and the other to be rejected. Abel chose faith and obedience; Cain, unbelief and rebellion. Here the whole matter rested.

Cain and Abel represent two classes that will exist in the world till the close of time. One class avail themselves of the appointed sacrifice for sin; the other venture to depend upon their own merits; theirs is a sacrifice without the virtue of divine mediation, and thus it is not able to bring man into favor with God. It is only through the merits of Jesus that our transgressions can be pardoned. Those who feel no need of the blood of Christ, who feel that without divine grace they can by their own works secure the approval of God, are making the same mistake as did Cain. If they do not accept the cleansing blood, they are under condemnation. There is no other provision made whereby they can be released from the thralldom of sin.

Cain and Abel represent the two classes or choices. One chose following God, the other chose to rebel. Jesus is asking us today – What will your choice be? If you were only person on this planet, Jesus would have come to die for you! Jesus is coming soon – will you chose obedience to God? Choosing obedience is not popular. People say it is legalism – this statement is straight from the devil. Jesus wants us to be free. The Devil wants you to think you will be in bondage.

Reality is that a person that accepts Jesus in their heart is the happiest person in the world. Choose our works or choose Jesus. Say this prayer today:

Jesus, I love you with all my heart, I know you are coming soon, I want you to come into my heart. Ask for Christ and make the choice for following Jesus. Is there a habit that you need to let go of? Choose to believe in the truth not the lies of Satan. God has always had a people. He still has a people today. There are only 2 sides. God, give me the power to make the right choice I pray, Amen.

This is the sermon preached by Pastor Brandon Korter on Sabbath, 5. March 2011 at Bellingham Seventh-day Adventist Christian Church.

If you have a prayer request, you can submit it at: Hope

Scroll down the page and you will see “Praying with Hope”.

Following Jesus Example

Matthew 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Many people believe Jesus is real – even the fallen angels and the Devil. The difference between fallen angels and faithful Christians is that the faithful Christian will be ready for Jesus soon return. The Devil hates Christ.

In the above scripture we as faithful Christians are told to go and teach and then baptizing the newly saved. This is what is known as the Divine Commission.

Jesus was baptized even though he never sinned. HE set an example for us to follow. In verse 20, Jesus said: “Teaching to observe ( keep ) all things I have commanded. Baptism is like a marriage to Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:26-31
Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian  
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

Acts 8:35-39
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.

Philip is telling the eunuch about Christ and all of Jesus earthly ministry. When Philip came up out of the water, he was caught away by the Spirit of the Lord. The eunuch went away happy.

Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The first reason Jesus was baptized is to set an example for us. The second reason is to cover people that cannot ever be baptized: ( medical reasons, thief on the cross, children not yet mature enough to understand salvation for our sins through faith in Christ ). The third reason is submerge – the greek word baptiso means ‘watery grave’ – it is a symbol of our death to the old life. We come up out of the water as a new person in Christ. Infant baptism and sprinkling are not Biblical.

In verse 17, we receive a special annointing of the Holy Spirit. You now belong to Christ and are His witness in the world.

Matthew 4:1-4
Satan Tempts Jesus
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. 3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’

Luke 4:1
Satan Tempts Jesus
 1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

Being a Christian means being the happiest people on earth. There is no shame to be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Luke 4:13-15
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. 15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Jesus was able to go out and teach.

Luke 4:17-19
17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:
       18 “ The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
       Because He has anointed Me
      To preach the gospel to the poor;
      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
      To proclaim liberty to the captives
      And recovery of sight to the blind,
      To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
       19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
      
Who is the stealer of our joy? Satan because fear does not come from God, it comes from Satan. Step out and trust God in faith. He will take care of you. God will meet your needs.

Galatians 3:26-29
Sons and Heirs
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

You trusted and surrendered to God and are a part of Christ earthly ministry.

There are buffet style Christians in the world today that are picking and chosing what they want. Being a follower of Christ means following His Word and Example. Heirs of the promise in verse 29 means having eternal life. That is the most important thing a Christian has to hold on to while on earth.

Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Real belief means following Jesus. Christ says in His word that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Just think of the grace, mercy and peace Christ offers to mankind.

Romans 6:3-4
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The newness of Christ means experiencing a total conversion. The death of Christ covers your life.

Acts 22:14-16
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. 15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Jesus is asking you a question: “What are you waiting for? Arise and be baptized.”

Acts 19:1-6
Paul at Ephesus
1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Acts 2:41
Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

This passage shows the beginning of the early Christian church. Have you gladly received His Word? Jesus never forces anyone to do anything. He loves you so much. How can you turn this offer down?

Acts 2:47
Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

This was our Wednesday night Bible study on 2. March 2011 led by Pastor Korter.

“You are My Sunshine, My only Sunshine’

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3 year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.

They found out that they new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy’s tummy.

He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. In time, the labor pains came. Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, after a long struggle, Michael’s little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.

Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. “I want to sing to her,” he kept saying.

Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn’t see his sister right them, he may never see her alive.

She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, ‘Get that kid out of here now. No children are allowed.’ The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse’s face , her lips a firm line, ‘He is not leaving until he sings to his sister’ she stated. Then Karen towed Michael to his sister’s bedside.

He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: ‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray.’ Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and became steady. ‘Keep on singing, Michael,” encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.

‘You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away.’ As Michael sang to his sister, the baby’s ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten’s purr. ‘Keep on singing, sweetheart.’ ‘The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms…’ Michael’s little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. ‘Keep on singing, Michael.’ Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.

‘You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don’t take my sunshine away.’ The next day….the very next day, the little girl was well enough to go home. Woman’s Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother’s Song. The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love.

This story was told on 3ABN broadcasting network last fall. I just read the story in a magazine that I get. When I first heard the story, I cried tears of joy in hearing how God healed a very sick little girl. I have not always been able to share emotions easily and this story opened me up to experience my feelings.

Here is a great video that Pastor Jesse Sacdalan shared at the Lummi Seventh-Day Adventist Church this past Sabbath. Take six minutes to see how much love God has for the children of the earth.

Here are a couple of excellent prayers to read before starting the day.

Psalms 143:7-11
⁷ Answer me speedily, O LORD;
         My spirit fails! 
         Do not hide Your face from me, 
         Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
 ⁸ Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
         For in You do I trust; 
         Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, 
         For I lift up my soul to You. 
         
 ⁹ Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies;
         In You I take shelter.
 ¹⁰ Teach me to do Your will,
         For You are my God; 
         Your Spirit is good. 
         Lead me in the land of uprightness. 
         
 ¹¹ Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake!
         For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

The following passage is from Desire of Ages page 83 written by Ellen White:

If Joseph and Mary had stayed their minds upon God by meditation and prayer, they would have realized the sacredness of their trust, and would not have lost sight of Jesus. By one day’s neglect they lost the Saviour; but it cost them three days of anxious search to find Him. So with us; by idle talk, evilspeaking, or neglect of prayer, we may in one day lose the Saviour’s presence, and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him, and regain the peace that we have lost.

In our association with one another, we should take heed lest we forget Jesus, and pass along unmindful that He is not with us. When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels. These holy beings cannot remain where the Saviour’s presence is not desired, and His absence is not marked. This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed followers of Christ.

Many attend religious services, and are refreshed and comforted by the word of God; but through neglect of meditation, watchfulness, and prayer, they lose the blessing, and find themselves more destitute than before they received it. Often they feel that God has dealt hardly with them. They do not see that the fault is their own. By separating themselves from Jesus, they have shut away the light of His presence.

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.

As we associate together, we may be a blessing to one another. If we are Christ’s, our sweetest thoughts will be of Him. We shall love to talk of Him; and as we speak to one another of His love, our hearts will be softened by divine influences. Beholding the beauty of His character, we shall be “changed into the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Cor. 3:18.

Where Are the Called is a new sermon series that Pastor Brandon Korter will be preaching over the next few Sabbaths.

A Long, Long Time Ago

When the first Star Wars Movie came out in 1977, the first statement made was: “A Long, Long Time Ago”. When Roots ( television series ) came out people spent much time researching their genealogy. We as Christians should also look at our roots.

Ezekiel 28:14-18
The Story of Lucifer

14 “ You were the anointed cherub who covers;
      I established you;
      You were on the holy mountain of God;
      You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
       15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
      Till iniquity was found in you.
       16 “ By the abundance of your trading
      You became filled with violence within,
      And you sinned;
      Therefore I cast you as a profane thing
      Out of the mountain of God;
      And I destroyed you, O covering cherub,
      From the midst of the fiery stones.
       17 “ Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty;
      You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor;
      I cast you to the ground,
      I laid you before kings,
      That they might gaze at you.
       18 “ You defiled your sanctuaries
      By the multitude of your iniquities,
      By the iniquity of your trading;
      Therefore I brought fire from your midst;
      It devoured you,
      And I turned you to ashes upon the earth
      In the sight of all who saw you.
     
This is the story of light versus darkness, good versus evil, followers of Christ versus followers of the Devil. Christ has always had faithful followers. God has always had a people on this earth.

Imagine a time when this earth had no sin and no evil. God was sitting on His Throne looking over His creation. He gave created beings a choice:

Ability to Love and Obey the Creator
Chose to Go Against God

By giving us human beings a choice, God took a risk. It is a high form of True Love – Giving the Right to say yes or no to God. That is True Love.

God’s highest angel was Lucifer ( means the shining one ). In Ezekiel 28:12,14 the Bible shows that Lucifer was most perfect and closest to God. Lucifer felt he should be elevated. There are only two other beings that stood with God in Heaven: Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Lucifer’s promotion never came.

In Ezekiel 28:17, Lucifer becomes filled with pride and jealousy. Lucifer wasn’t thinking straight. Lucifer had a false picture of himself: ( best, biggest, pride, exaggerated sense of one’s own importance ). This set Lucifer up for sin.

The middle initial of sin is ‘I’. Lucifer concluded that either the problem was with God or himself. Because Lucifer was not thinking right, he said that God is not truthful. Lucifer worked to convince one third of the angels of heaven that God was not right.

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The war in heaven was like Star Wars. The battle between Christ and Satan ( Lucifer ) had begun. Do you want Christ to come again?

A tragic day came that changed the history of earth forever. Eve did not want to wander away. The world was without sin. The Bible tells us that the Devil went to all the other worlds to tempt them and they did not fall into sin. The Devil came back to the earth and tempted Eve with the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.

Eve fell to temptation. Then Adam ate of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil. Most of us today have a way to go ourselves to fill at ease with God. How does this apply to us?

God wants us to see this today. God wants us to see how sin causes us to break away from Him. Do you have anger, fear or are uneasy about God?

The separation of sin is keeping us from seeing Jesus as He really is. The greatest separator is sin. When Jesus hung on the cross He said: “My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus carried the load of all the earth’s sin-an immense burden-and was in agony.

The whole purpose of sin is to keep us away from God. We begin to blame God for the pain our own sin brings to us. We treat Him like a frowning father – an outright enemy. When we get in trouble, have a tragedy, or suffer grief, Satan presses us to put the blame on God. If you are such a God of Love, why am I going through this?

Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity
      Between you and the woman,
      And between your seed and her Seed;
      He shall bruise your head,
      And you shall bruise His heel.
     
This is the first Bible promise that Jesus would save us. The word seed refers to Satan’s seed and Eve’s seed. Eve’s seed comes from Jesus. Jesus head was bruised. The Devil tried to destroy Jesus but he could not. Jesus went to the cross and took the full penalty of our sin. We cannot comprehend how much love that took and will learn more about God’s love when Jesus comes to take us to heaven.

The same pleads and cries that God made to Lucifer to repent and turn around is no different than what Jesus is doing today. God went after Lucifer. God pleaded that Lucifer would come back and be restored but Lucifer said: No, I don’t want to have anything to do with you. The war in heaven in Revelation 12:17 went on for a very long time.

Jesus is now pleading with you today just like He did with Lucifer. God says: “I created you, love you and want you next to me. I will elevate you to be higher than the angels when Jesus comes.

It is easier to be saved than to be lost. Some people think salvation is so difficult. God never intended for one human to be exposed to hell fire at the coming Judgement Day. Some people keep responding: No, No, leave me alone to Jesus. How could we ever say no to a God that loves us so much? A God so loving that He pleaded with Lucifer for a very long time and sent Jesus into the world to save all of us.

Jesus knows your heart. The wonderful news is that one day soon, this war will be over. God has had, has now and will always have a loyal people that follow Him. Faithful followers. Jesus is asking you today: “Do you want to be a faithful follower?” Will you make a full and complete surrender to Jesus today? Will you accept Him? Just ask as He is waiting for you!

United States in Bible Prophecy

Most people are not aware that the USA is in Bible Prophecy.

Revelation 13:11
The Beast from the Earth
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

Pay special attention when the Bible says the word ‘earth’. There are two beasts mentioned in Revelation 13. In verses 1-10 the beast is Papal Rome where the Bible mentions comes up out of the sea.

There are four names for the devil used in the Bible:

Devil
Dragon
Lucifer
Serpent

In verse 11 the beast is the USA.

Revelation 12:1
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.
In Bible prophecy the woman represents ( symbolizes ) the Church. The woman is clothed in the ‘Word of God’ ( sun ). The moon gets its light from the sun. The moon represents the gift of prophecy which is the testimony of Jesus. The crown of victory represented by the garland of twelve stars. The church is the body of Christ. If you are saved and in the church, you have the Victor’s Crown. Praise the Lord!

Jeremiah 6:2
I have likened the daughter of Zion to a lovely and delicate woman.

Isaiah 51:16
And I have put My words in your mouth;
      I have covered you with the shadow of My hand,
      That I may plant the heavens,
      Lay the foundations of the earth,
      And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’

Can you see how important God’s church is? Be very careful about being a hypocrite, about back biting, back stabbing or any other un Christian behavior. The Church is full of people who have problems. These people realize that Jesus is the answer. Young people get frustrated when they see bad behavior from adults and leave the church.

2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Christ is the Head of the Church.

Revelation 12:1-6
The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
 1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.
3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

A third of the angels were deceived by Lucifer and were flung to the earth as demons. The woman flees from the dragon.

Revelation 12:13-16
The Woman Persecuted
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away by the flood. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.

During the 1,260 years, Papal Rome persecuted the Waldenses, the Ostrogoths and other tribes in Europe. God repeated verse 6 in verse 14 which means pay close attention to that verse. The Dark Ages of World History are revealed in verse 15. If you had a Bible during this time, you were killed. The Waldenses passed little pages of scripture amongst themselves during this time.

The serpent spewed water means Papal Rome sent out armies to destroy the tribes that were not following the Papacy. The earth helped the woman ( earth opened up its mouth and swallowed the river ).

In the early 1600’s, the Pilgrims came to Earth fleeing persecution. The Pilgrims were 102 people seeking religious freedom and endured 67 days at sea to flee persecution. This is the only time in the History of the World that this has happened. When the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, they were so far away from the dragon that they were finally safe. The USA is a safe place for the Church to dwell.

Revelation 13:11-18
The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

The fatal wound was healed in 1929 when Mussolini declared the Vatican its own sovereign power. The Papacy is now more powerful than it has ever been. In verse 14, the image to the beast ‘a likeness’ means the devil wants worship. In verse 15, worship is clearly the issue. God wants worship per the Ten Commandments ( Love the Lord Thy God ). Sunday worship is the image. The Papal authorities met with the two American ambassadors to the Vatican and asked for the USA to establish a Sunday Law in 2005.

Matthew 10:21-22
21 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

Don’t be scared about this prophecy because Jesus will protect you.

The Mark of the Beast
In Daniel chapter 7, God shows us the big picture in verses 1-7. Then in verse 8 God laser focuses on the horn that has destroyed 3 of the 10 Kingdoms: Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Hurlei.

Daniel 7:1-8
Vision of the Four Beasts

1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
5 “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

In Daniel 7 verses 20-21 and 24-25, God repeats what was stated in earlier verses which stresses the importance of understanding. It is easy to identify the Little Horn.

20 The ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them.

24 The ten horns are ten kings
      Who shall arise from this kingdom.
      And another shall rise after them;
      He shall be different from the first ones,
      And shall subdue three kings.
   25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
      Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
      And shall intend to change times and law.
      Then the saints shall be given into his hand
      For a time and times and half a time.

1. Comes up Among 10 Kingdoms
2. Arises after 476 AD
3. Speaks great words – Blasphemes – Has ability to forgive sins
4. Subdues 3 Kingdoms/Horns
5. Different
6. Eyes like a man (Human) singular leadership
7. Persecutes
8. Rules for a Time, Times, and 1/2 Time ( 1260 Years )
9. Change Time and the Law

History of the world is revealed in the Bible in Daniel’s dream. The Little Horn power is Papal Rome. There are only 2 totally worldwide churches today. One is Catholic. In Revelation Chapters 12 and 17, the woman mentioned represents the church.

There was much persecution during the Dark Ages. You either became Catholic or you were executed. In 508 AD, the Vandals were stamped out by Papal Rome. In 538 AD, the Ostrogoths were destroyed. This persecution went on for over a thousand years. When the Pilgrims came in the early 1600’s, they were trying to get away from persecution from Papal Rome. In 1798, the beast received a wound when the Pope was put in prison by Napoleon’s General Berthier.

Jesus was accused of blasphemy by the Scribes and the Pharisees. The Pope claims the ability to forgive sins which is blasphemy.

Revelation 13:1-3
The Beast from the Sea

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
 
There are seven hills at the Vatican. In Revelation 13:4-10, the Bible is once again repeating what was already said in Daniel 7.

Revelation 13:4-10
4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Remember the Bible is exposing the beast ( Papal System ) not the Catholic people. There are fine Catholic Christians all over the world and there will be many Catholics in God’s Kingdom.

The Pope is the King of the Vatican. The Vatican has ambassadors from over 105 nations of the world. The United States has 2 ambassadors to the Vatican. All Bishops, Cardinals, Priests, and Nuns must swear allegiance to the Pope.

Revelation 13:17-18
17 That no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

What is 666? It is the Identity of the Beast – A Man’s Number. Now we can compare Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.

1. Out of the Sea ( Multitude of Nations Revelation 17:15 )
2. Deadly Wound Healed ( 1929 Mussolini recognized Vatican as its own power )
3. Speaks Great Words – Blasphemy
4. Rules for 42 months ( There are 30 days per month in Jewish calendar – 42 x 30 = 1260 )
5. Makes War with the Saints
6. World Worship
7. Leads Into Captivity ( Dark Ages )

Knowledge of the Scriptures were lost during the 1260 years. God raised up Martin Luther who was a Catholic Bishop. Luther unlocked the Bible, studied it and read it. Luther proclaimed: ” The Just will live by Faith”.

Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 reveal the same thing and reveal the Identity of the Beast. Pagan Rome turned into Papal Rome.

Genesis 4:15
And the LORD said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the LORD set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

God put a mark on Cain. It is not a visible mark. The whole issue about the mark of the beast revolves around worship. Jesus cannot come until the man of lawlessness has been revealed.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-6
The Great Apostasy

1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. 5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.
 
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

There are over 285 denominations saying they have the truth. You find the truth in the Bible. Study Your Bible!

Ezekiel 20:11-12
11 And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, ‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them.’ 12 Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

God’s sign is the Sabbath. Once again, it is all about worship.
Verses 19-20
19 I am the LORD your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; 20 hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.’

If God has a sign, does it make sense that Satan also has a sign? A counterfeit?

Exodus 31:12-18
The Sabbath Law

12 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’” 18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Romans 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also.
 
A sign is the same as a seal. The counterfeit has to look like the original. In the Catholic Catechism there are two questions to explore.

Question: What day is the Sabbath Day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath Day.
Question: Why do we observer Sunday as the day of worship? Answer: The Catholic Church had the solemnity to transfer the worship day from Saturday to Sunday.

Sunday worship is the Mark of the Beast. The letters on the Mitre of the Pope are:

Vicarius Filii Dei which means the Vicar of the Son of God. If you take the Roman Numeral for each of the letters of the Latin for Vicarius Filii Dei, the total adds up to 666.

V – 5
I – 1
C – 100
A – 0
R – 0
I-  1
U – 5 (same as V)
S – 0

F – 0
I – 1
L – 50
I – 1
I – 1

D – 500
E – 0
I – 1
——–
666

Revelation 14:6-7
The Proclamations of Three Angels
  
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— 7 saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

This was our Wednesday night Bible study at church this week.

To be in love is a wonderful experience. Do you remember the day you told others about your love for your spouse? When your spouse answered your proposal, you were on cloud nine. You called everyone, sent emails to your friends, wrote letters to people-you let everyone know of your joy. You could not contain your happiness.

If you are not in love, you won’t tell anyone. Something very similar happens in our relationship with Jesus. We will want to tell everyone about Him. It is impossible for Salvation and Witnessing to exist apart from each other. This happens because the Holy Spirit is working in your life. When a person has experienced conversion, the Holy Spirit takes control of your heart and you will witness to others about Jesus.

John 1:37-42
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

Jesus deliberately turned around and asked: “What are you seeking?” The disciples wanted to know where Jesus was staying. Then Andrew had an automatic reaction and fell in love with Jesus. Andrew became a witness right away which is a sign of true conversion. Andrew had to find someone he could share Jesus the Messiah with and witness to them. Andrew went to his brother and shared Jesus.

This is an example of what Jesus is asking of us. We have the greatest news in the entire world. The most fantastic message of the Bible is Jesus the Messiah and salvation is available to all men. God wants us to understand Jesus is coming again. People are out there that need to hear about Jesus. The testimony of a friend is far more powerful than a stranger. Sharing Jesus is a lifestyle and a culture. Evangelism means you are telling the Good News. Evangelism is a way of life.

God has given us the opportunity to witness. One hundred and two Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower to have opportunity to practice their faith. Jesus gives me an opportunity and I will tell someone about Him. I can share Jesus with a friend, a neighbor, a worker in the office, a student at school, or people I meet in business. You can share what Jesus has done for you. God has asked you to get people ready to live in the Promised Land.

The Pastor’s role is to preach and teach how to win people for Jesus. Just be a friend and introduce others to your friend Jesus. Andrew did not have to be trained, he brought his brother to Jesus right away. Just tell people the practical things. Share how Jesus has delivered you from any life problems. Invite your friends to church and Bible Study. Be warm and friendly with each other. Study the Bible together in your homes as it is impossible to keep Jesus a secret.

This kind of love is tender and compassionate and draws people to you. Here is a true story. A doctor was driving along the road one day and by the side of the road there was an injured dog. The doctor stopped and had compassion and took the dog to his house. He cleaned up the dog, set the broken bone the dog had suffered from, and cared for the injured animal. The dog loved the doctor. The dog got well and one day disappeared. One day the doctor heard a scratching noise at his door. There was the dog with another dog that had a broken leg. The dog that had gotten well went out and shared the compassion of the doctor with other dogs.

Witnessing is the key to keeping your Christian witness alive. When we are in love no on has to tell us how to be in love.

Revelation 2:4-5

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

If we are unwilling to witness or share our experience with Jesus with someone else, it means we are lost. It is impossible for a saved person to not witness for Jesus. When you witness you save your own soul. Here is another true story.

A man was traveling outside on a cold winter day and started to freeze from exposure. This man heard the moaning of another traveler that was also freezing. The first traveler took the second man to safety and in so doing stimulated his limbs and warmed himself up enough to stay alive. The first travelers vigorous efforts to save another man saved his own life. The same thing with someone who loves Jesus.

It is impossible to stay quiet about Jesus. I may have not been witnessing before, but I want to learn how to witness to others.

This was the sermon preached by Pastor Korter at Bellingham on Sabbath, 5. February 2011.

Encouragement is a gift that we can offer others and ourselves. A listening ear, a warm shoulder to lean on, a helping hand, and an understanding heart offer support through the challenges and changes of life. When you make a conscious choice to be an encourager, you become God’s helping hand of support, inspiring courage, hope, confidence in the midst of a weary world.

When your best girlfriend tells you about her pet project, you respond with an enthusiastic “What a great idea! I know you’ll make it happen.” When the man in your life shares his hopes and dreams, you reinforce his self-worth and repel negative thoughts. You quietly say, “Yes, you can” instead of “Yes, but.” You’re not afraid to say something positive to others. These phrases are often a part of your conversation:”I love you because…” “I see in you…” “You’re so good at…” “I like the way you…” “I know you will…”

Here are some tips for being a better encourager:

1. Be specific and tell people in detail exactly what you like about them, what you have observed that can help them.

2. Be honest and kind. No flattery allowed. You want to point out the positives, yet be someone who offers a dependable perspective, not a flattering lie.

3. Be positive and confident. Express doubts with care and try to offer alternatives when you think someone is being unrealistic.

4. Be spontaneous. Listen to what your heart says and be willing to speak it.

5. Don’t worry abou how your encouragement is received. People are insecure and often don’t know how to take praise. They often need time to revise the way they look at themselves. Just keep believing the best for them, even when they are afraid to believe it for themselves.

6. Be consistent. Focus on the positive, make it a lifestyle. Make encouragement a habit.

7. Offer suggestions, not advice. Honor each person’s choices and believe in others’ ability to navigate their own course. You may disagree with their decisions, but you have to respect their choices.

8. Finally, be your own best encourager. Count your blessings. Be careful of the company you keep-don’t spend too much time with negative people who tear one another down. Focus on the larger vision, knowing that God has called you to a unique work in this world Give yourself time, space, and grace. Ask Him to help you find purpose in your pain and disappointments. Believe for the best.

Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

Checklist for Life for Women page 276

Daniel 2
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream
 1 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 2 Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.

27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:

Daniel 7:1-7
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. 4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
5 “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

Rome was a leader in metal technology as they created the best ships, spears, swords and knives. Rome was able to wipe out Greece then over 600 years later broke apart due to immorality and corruption. Rome stopped funding the military and the ten tribes starting attacking and Rome was broken up. Up until 476 AD the leader in Rome was the Emperor.

25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
      Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
      And shall intend to change times and law.
      Then the saints shall be given into his hand
      For a time and times and half a time.

The greek word zemaan means appointed time. The Jewish Calendar had 360 days in it. Here is the interpretation of time, times, and half a time:

Here is the sermon given by Pastor Korter at Bellingham, Washington Seventh-day Adventist church today.
Many Christians are wandering in their faith today. There is a solution. When we give our life to Jesus we have a new nature.
Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
In this scene, Jesus is in the desert being tempted. Jesus overcame temptation. How many of us want a victorious or a happy life? It is written means if you really want to live.

How can I be a Christian if I am not feeding the new nature? We are born with a human nature that is sinful. We need to read and study the Bible. This is not a duty for converted Christians. The scribes and pharisees read and studied the scriptures because it was a duty. When we ask for Jesus to come into our lives, we then need to feed our new nature.

God’s word – The Holy Bible – is a love letter given to you. We love feeding our other interests. A sincere conversion will cause us to want to feed our new nature. It is natural to not enjoy being with someone you do not love. If we look at the Bible as a boring book of characters and their struggles or as most amazing love letter ever written then we will want to spend time in the Bible. You can read stories in the Bible of people just like you and me.

A mechanical reading of the Bible has very little impact on us. We risk being a miserable Christian – we risk leaving the Church. Here are some practical suggestions as you open up your Bible. Try to apply the message to your life. We need to learn how to enjoy feeding the new nature. What is this verse trying to tell me? Tell God what you think about the message and how you can apply the message to your life.

Enjoy your conversation with God. Every time you see the word ‘you’ or ‘we’ put the word ‘I’. Put your own life into the pages of the Bible.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Replace the pronouns in the above scripture sentences with ‘I’ and ‘me’.
What then shall I say to these things? If God is for me, who can be against me?

Share your fears and frustrations with God. If the new nature is not being fed, there is an automatic separation. There is unlimited power and strength in God. Read the Book “Steps to Christ” page 100. A copy of Steps to Christ was give to every single service man and woman in World War II.

Nothing is too small for God or Jesus. This is basic and elementary but most difficult to put into practice. Pray any place, anywhere, at any time. Pray when driving down the road. God wants us to understand there is no set time for prayer and meditation with Him. We can immediately begin to experience the joy that comes with spending just 15 minutes with the Lord. You can increase your time spent as you experience the joy and happiness.

The reasons churches end up dead is that members are not feeding the new nature.
Do you want the Holy Spirit poured out where you are?
Do you want your church to grow?
Do you want your church to be a loving, kind, and warm church?

The answer is basic: Feed the New Nature!

Pastors don’t grow churches. The pastor is a shepherd. Sheep produce sheep.

If you want victory over sin, start feeding the new nature. The Bible is the most action packed thrilling book ever written. If I am feeding my new nature will I leave Jesus or the church? NO!

People can be hurt or wronged. If you know you have hurt someone – it is your Christian duty to ask for forgiveness. God won’t allow us to abandon His Word when we are feeding the new nature. HE never gives us a trial we cannot bear. We will have no desire to do ministry and share Jesus with others if we are not feeding our new nature.