By John Thiel, mp3

Scripture Reading 1 Timothy 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

The counsel of Apostle Paul to Timothy is a counsel we all need to take heed of.

That Scripture tells us something about the importance of doctrine. What is it? It says in taking heed to the doctrine and continue in it thou shalt save thyself; and all those that hear thee. How important is doctrine? It has to do with your and my salvation.

In a time when doctrine, teachings of the Bible, are in total confusion, this Scripture tells us we had better make sure that the doctrine we have is correct or we cannot be saved.

Of all time, for people to take this Scripture seriously, our time is the most confusing.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The faith or the doctrine that was held in the beginning that was once delivered to the saints we should earnestly contend for it. Why? Because according to 1 Timothy 4 it will save our soul.

What is it today? Seventh Day Adventist doctrine as it was delivered over the 50 years from the beginning of Adventism through to about 1904, was identified as the pure doctrine that had been accumulated back out of the confusion of the Dark Ages. That pure doctrine has now lost its clarity under the sad experiences that have taken place within the Seventh Day Adventist circles. We have the terrible experience that struck the Adventist church under Des Ford, who taught falsehood in the ministerial college. Then that caused a wide-spread disintegration of people, what they believed once, how it all developed into a state of various opinions and doctrines. You had the liberals, you had the concerned brethren, and you had the offshoots. It’s all one sad story of confusion of teachings among all these different companies.

What is the Doctrine?

What is the doctrine, the faith once delivered to the saints? It’s hard to pick out, and I see this in my interaction with people around us. Some who appear to hold the doctrine and the truth of original Adventism, they teach it all in such a way that Sr. White identifies they become as dry as the hills of Gilboah. This is one of the reasons why the Adventist message has become sort of confused, because what they used to teach was not exciting anymore to many people, so they looked for something more exciting, more intense to their understanding.

“There will be some terrible falls by those who think they stand firm because they have the truth, but they have it not as it is in Jesus.“5T 540.1

They have the doctrine, but they still can’t be saved because they don’t have it as it is in Jesus. There are so many things that confuse the mind in the ranks of Adventism today that many people say well, what’s the use? The reality is that we can still find salvation by pure doctrine as it is in Jesus.

The enemy of souls, our arch enemy, Satan, has been effective. Once the Seventh Day Adventist people knew what they believed, but as they preached the doctrine in this dry fashion we see the result of that today.

“After I received word in regard to the excellent meeting of confession and unity that had been held in Battle Creek I was writing in my diary and was about to record the thankfulness I felt because a change had come, when my hand was arrested, and there came to me the words: “Write it not. No change for the better has taken place. Teachings that are turning souls from the truth are being presented as of great worth.

There it was, at that period of time it was coming in.

“Doctrines are being taught that lead into bypaths and forbidden paths; doctrines that lead men to act in harmony with their own inclinations and to work out their unsanctified purposes; doctrines that, if received, would destroy the dignity and power of God’s people, obscuring the light that would otherwise come to them through God’s appointed agencies.” 8T 231.2

As I read this statement that was written back in the 1890’s, my heart sinks because what happened back there has just multiplied in its various factions of doctrines and teachings. We must pay heed to the true doctrine for it will save us. Here we have the product of way back there in the 1890’s that would take us into a state of what we are in today. Where can we find doctrine that does not obscure the light that should be presented? Doctrines that lead men to act in harmony with their own inclinations were beginning to be brought forth to the people back there, in the ranks of Adventism.

During this Divine Service I choose a doctrine that began back there at the turn of the century into the 20^th Century that was being altered. That’s the doctrine of the plagues and Armageddon.

The majority of Adventists today, of various different sections or ideas that have been produced amongst the independent companies including the mainline church, is that the subject of the doctrine of Armageddon is a spiritual war, it is not a physical war. Armageddon today is being taught as not being a physical reality war, it’s a spiritual war. That is being taught among the majority of Adventist factions,

Many scholars have taken hold of the prophecies of Revelation and made them a spiritual meaning, rather than leaving them as literal. The seven last plagues have been twisted, and importantly, the subject of Armageddon. Among the seven plagues there is a literal war that is addressed in the Spirit of Prophecy. She describes the scenes that are revealed to John the revelator.

Our Refuge

“If such scenes as this are to come, such tremendous judgments on a guilty world, where will be the refuge for God’s people?

This is basically what I want to share at this Divine Service. Jesus is our refuge, is He not? The truth of Armageddon as it is in Jesus, is to be where our refuge is found.

“How will they be sheltered until the indignation be overpast? John sees the elements of nature–earthquake, tempest, and political strife– represented as being held by four angels. These winds are under control until God gives the word to let them go. There is the safety of God’s church. The angels of God do His bidding, holding back the winds of the earth, that the winds should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree, until the servants of God should be sealed in their foreheads.” k was performed, and until he should give the summons to let them loose.” TM 444.3

Before the plagues commence, God’s people must be sealed and protected. What are the plagues when the wrath of God is poured out, because those plagues are the outpouring of the vials of God’s wrath? earthquake, tempest, and political strife.

As you study the plagues, which one of those plagues is political? All the other ones are natural, but there is one that is political. You can find it very simply by plain Scriptural reading there in Revelation 16.

Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

This is the sixth plague described here, Armageddon. What is that battle? Political strife.

“John writes, “I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne.” Angels were united in the work of Him who had broken the seals and taken the book. Four mighty angels hold back the powers of this earth till the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. The nations of the world are eager for conflict; but they are held in check by the angels. When this restraining power is removed, there will come a time of trouble and anguish. Deadly instruments of warfare will be invented. Vessels, with their living cargo, will be entombed in the great deep. All who have not the spirit of truth will unite under the leadership of satanic agencies. But they are to be kept under control till the time shall come for the great battle of Armageddon.” 7BC 967.8

Political strife. Nations are ready for conflict, but they are being held back until the day of the plague of Armageddon, which is a battle, a political strife. We have the Spirit of Prophecy to clarify that for us. As we study these plagues, most of them are natural, there is only one that is political, and that’s the Armageddon one.

My intention is to study, not so much every detail of Armageddon, which we have on different subjects amongst us already: the plagues and Armageddon, as we studied in our Sabbath School lesson some time ago the king of the north of Daniel 11. It’s all dealt with in detail. But what I want to do here is to focus upon the assurance of the true doctrine of the subject so that we can see Jesus in conjunction with this.

Many people study the subjects of the prophecies and especially the military side of things as just facts. Sr. White writes that they become as dry as the hills of Gilboah. Now we know, so what? But there is something far deeper involved here.

“In Desire of Ages, Patriarchs and Prophets, Great Controversy, and Daniel and the Revelation, there is precious instruction. These books must be regarded as of special importance, and every effort should be made to get them before the people.” Ev 366.3

What book does she include with hers there? The book Daniel and the Revelation. If you will get that book and read about the plagues and about Armageddon, you will get the details. It’s all there. It is a book that is here identified under the Spirit of Prophecy as of special importance. That is where we will get the true doctrine in regards to this subject.

At this time we want to spend more focus upon Jesus, and perceive the importance of the truth on this subject as it is in Jesus.

The amazing love of the heavenly angels holding the four winds:

“Angels are belting the world, refusing Satan his claims to supremacy, made because of the vast multitude of his adherents. We hear not the voices, we see not with the natural sight the work of these angels, but their hands are linked about the world, and with sleepless vigilance they are keeping the armies of Satan at bay till the sealing of God’s people shall be accomplished.” 7BC 967.9

This is the solicitude of heaven. We want to be saved; they want to save us. The information that we need to gain from inspiration is that we are correctly informed to work in such a way that we will be saved through that pure doctrine.

What importance does Armageddon bear in regards to our relationship with Jesus?

We are to be saved by faith in Jesus. What has Armageddon to do with that?

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by [his] Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Every time Christians who want to be saved hear about Jesus, they say yes, He is my Saviour. I want to be saved. He, Jesus, has spoken to us in these last days. He is speaking to us with the doctrines of the Bible for the last days. He is interested in us.

John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Here Jesus is turning the attention of us today to believe in Him through the words of the apostles. As Apostle Paul said, take heed to yourself and the doctrine that you might be saved. Jesus says, Lo, I am with you always.

Matthew 28:20….lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

For people who love Jesus, Jesus speaks to us in these last days, and He is with us in the last days. As He glances from His time down the corridors of history that was ahead of Him, He looks at you and me today, and He sees us as we are struggling with the circumstances of our life today. The multitudinous doctrines and teachings, He sees all that. He sees the struggles of standing firm and true to the original beliefs of God’s word. He has spoken directly in reference to our plight that we are living under today. You can read it in Matthew chapters 24 and 25.

There in Matthew 24 He talks about the people living at this time. In chapter 25 He is talking about the doctrinal confusion under the false teachers versus the true ones that give meat in due season, and the ten virgins. It’s all laid out there. In the book of Revelation, what is the book of Revelation called? It’s the Revelation of Jesus Christ for the time of the end.

Jesus is interested in us and He is speaking to us. He is communicating to us important material that we need to get clear understandings on. Incorporated in what He spoke in the book of Revelation is the subject of Armageddon.

I want to just give a quick flash onto this subject as it is in Jesus in one Bible text.

What do we see of Jesus in Armageddon?

As we were reading the account of activity among the nations led by the spirits of devils, as He said that’s what will be happening there, there is one text that throws our mind into a clear illumination of Jesus. In the midst of the reference of the battle of Armageddon Jesus is speaking. Verses 14 and 16 are interspersed by verse 15.

Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Nothing that a believer in Jesus Christ wants more is to be ready for Jesus’ advent. Here the subject of Armageddon is referred to, as He mentioned it in Matthew 24. He says blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments. I come as a thief. He is making direct reference to Matthew 24. Here is our Jesus who is anxiously praying for us, warning us as He warned the disciples. We want to see the subject of Armageddon as He meant it here.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Behold I come as a thief; here He is directly making reference to this.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

I see the weight of these Scriptures and my heart sinks as I look around to hear the pure message that Jesus is referring to in Revelation 16:15. He says in verse 15 keep your garments lest you walk naked and they see your shame.

It’s very interesting that chapter 16 is dealing with the plagues. When do the plagues commence in all their fury? We already read there the angels are holding back those winds of strife until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. Then, when they are let loose, what has happened? Probation has closed. The plagues take place when Jesus has finished His work in the most holy place. Probation has closed.

Why is there this suggestion now, that when Armageddon comes, behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches lest they be found naked. Is there something here that we need to understand so that when probation closes we will not be found with our pants down, naked?

We have got to get this subject right. It has to do with our salvation. It’s what Jesus our personal Saviour and the angels are intensely interested to impart to us so that we will not be caught naked. We read it in Bible Commentary Volume 7. To watch what’s written in verse 13 and 14, needs to be understood.

Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Which is Armageddon.

What value is there for you and me to watch ourselves if it is referring to after the close of probation? It would be too late.

When we read verse 13 and 14 we are actually taken to a period before the close of probation that we should watch, because when probation closes then the people who have been gathered together in the final destruction of the war of Armageddon, which the angels are holding back until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads.

I read a statement here from the pioneers which was in one of their Sabbath school lessons. When we studied the subject we quoted this. Here they make the statement in reference to verses 13 and 14.

“It seems evident that the preparatory work of the sixth plague, – the gathering of the kings of the East, in readiness for the opening of the battle of Armageddon,-is a movement that takes place before the seven last plagues begin to fall. In other words, this movement on the part of the kings of the East will be a sign that probation is about to close, and the plagues about to fall, also that the battle of Armageddon is about to begin.” International Sabbath-School Quarterly The Prophecies of Daniel – First Quarter 1904.

As we watch the political strife of these times before probation closes, we can get a warning, an understanding of how the close of probation actually is. So that when Jesus said in verse 15 behold I come as a thief, blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments lest he walk naked and they see his shame, He says when probation closes the thief has struck. Blessed is the person who watches. Watches what? The drying up of the River Euphrates (verse 12), that the kings of the East might be prepared.

The behavior of the three unclean spirits like frog coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, working miracles which go forth unto the kings of the earth and the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. It is this kind of knowledge that needs to be understood and watched, because as it is coming to its conclusion, God’s people must be so wide awake. They must be spiritually so much in tune that they will not be caught naked when probation closes and Armageddon is going to strike.

Can you see, if you have an error on the subject of Armageddon, how easy it will be for anyone to be naked at that time? The Adventist circles don’t seem to mind partaking in war, going to war. They went to Vietnam, they went to all these other wars, and the First World War, the Second World War. What were they doing? Were they watching not to be caught up in this terrible Armageddon warfare where everything is coming to its climax, to that Armageddon? We are to be watching, we are to have a relationship with Jesus.

Let’s have a look at the detail to discover Jesus warning us here through the world events around us at this present time.

First of all, three unclean spirits that come out of the governments of paganism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. That’s what the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet are. We don’t need to seek to prove that here now. Paganism, pagan nations, the governments of pagan nations, the governments of Christian nations, Catholicism, and Protestants. What are they doing, that we are to watch not to be caught up with them?

“By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near.” 5T 451.1

How clear do we want it? As it is written here, we are seeing it in front of our eyes; how they are reaching across to each other. Amalgamating, working together. Papal, Protestants, and spiritual paganism working together. We know as we are watching, as we are reading this, that this is the time. Jesus our personal Saviour is giving us understanding not to be caught up with that.

Let’s come from this point about the three unclean spirits working like this. How is the manner in which they work?

Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Don’t get caught out; watch. What was it about these deceptive activities of the devil?

Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.

Can you feel the anxiety of Jesus to make sure that the people understand what He is saying? I have told you before: what are you to expect? False Christs, false prophets. They will do miracles, show wonders so subtly, so carefully adjusted that even the very elect could be deceived if they are not watching. What kind of work does the Scripture tell us that they are engaging in, working to, if it were possible, to convince even the very elect?

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly,

Here it is again, that intensity there that we may understand.

1 Timothy 4:1 that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Seductive; to seduce. To seduce a Christian. How would the devil seduce a Christian? You just need to go back as to how they seduced the Christians in the time of the falling away into the papal religion. They combined paganism with Christianity and it looked so nice. It looked so comfortable, it looked so good! Now we’re going to win all the pagans into the faith. And paganism came into the church. Seducing. That’s the way it is today.

The spiritualistic influences in the Christian churches that today is taken for normal. The Pentecostal music – spiritualistic music, the seduction of that. The suggestions that come through, it’s ok to have a little bit of rocky music because rocky music goes along with the marching of the war tunes, it goes along with all that, it prepares the psyche to give over.

Then there are all the other suggestions, it’s all right, we are fighting a holy war against the Muslims. This is right. This is good, we need to control the Muslims. This is all part of the exercise. The Christians really believe they are doing a service. While they won’t go and take life maybe, but they’ll go into the war zone as medics. We’re doing God a service; seducing spirits. Satan comes to seduce if possible the very elect.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Where are they leading them all to? Armageddon. As a practical physical warfare. That’s what’s written. And Jesus says watch yourself, watch closely because they are working deceitfully, that if it were possible the very elect could be deceived.

Satan has one object in mind and that is to cause all the nations to gather together in the place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. If we are not watching closely, let’s see what we have to guard against in this seductive atmosphere in which we are living.

James1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,

That looks good, doesn’t it? That’s what these people are doing, aren’t they? They say, see, we’ve got the pure religion. What else was there?

James 1:27 [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Oh yes, there’s lots of humanitarian work, but all spotted by the world. God’s pure religion is yes, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction AND to keep himself unspotted from the world. To be watchful so that the world cannot trap you because Satan is working behind the scenes.

“The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. 5T 81.1

Follow carefully how the mark of the beast will be received, if possible, even by the very elect.

“Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. True godliness will be clearly distinguished from the appearance and tinsel of it. Many a star that we have admired for its brilliancy will then go out in darkness. Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.” 5T 81.1

That’s what Jesus warned about, wasn’t it? And here is a succinct inspirational statement from the testimony of Jesus that under these false, deceptive, seducing spirits, false Christs, and false apostles, the world and Christians will be led to harmonise with the events around them. Because they have step by step gone along with it in the preparation beforehand. So that when probation closes they will be found naked.

How are you battling today? What is our position? Are we firm and decided, not just professing Christianity, not just assuming the ornaments of the sanctuary. Are we clothed in Christ’s righteousness, in which we will not succumb to the seductive activities that are around us?

SUPPORT FROM JESUS

In this time we need support from Jesus.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This is what original Adventism is all about. The day is approaching. We can see the fulfilment of prophecies around us, and we need to support each other. That’s why, although we’re small in number, we need to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together and encourage one another to be strong against the subtle deceptions that are all around us. But we need to resist those subtle things as Jesus would do.

You can be on guard so much that you can even lose sight of Jesus. Is that possible? You can be concentrating on all the misery things that are happening around you and not engaging in a beautiful relationship with Jesus, and the next minute you begin to judge everybody and everything around you. You’re all going to hell and you might be going to hell with them. Like the man that was warning the destruction of Jerusalem. Woe, woe, woe he was going and he was just about mad in his brain. Warning the people with woe, woe, woe that the destruction of Jerusalem was coming, back there. When Jerusalem was destroyed he was destroyed with it.

We are to concentrate on Jesus and be protected in this terrible time that is coming our way. It’s there, it’s on the horizon. We can see the destructive rollings of war and conflict increasing around us in the Middle East right now. So He gathered them together in a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. The winepress of God’s wrath is a physical warfare in which we had better not be.

Revelation 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast [it] into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

The winepress of the wrath of God. What is that one where the blood will flow?

Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

By careful study this is the distance from the valley of Megiddo down to Jerusalem. That will be flowing with blood in that warfare of Armageddon where they will be gathered.

As we see these things fulfilling, and the Middle East situation, the warfare over Jerusalem, etc. When all that is preparing now and the final destruction of the winepress of God’s wrath takes place, we had better have the knowledge of Jesus and Armageddon. The relationship with Jesus is imperative in truth. The things that Jesus has said. When the winepress of God’s wrath is trodden we had better not be in that winepress.

Isaiah 63:1 Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Wherefore [art thou] red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance [is] in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and [there was] none to help; and I wondered that [there was] none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.

Here Jesus describes His experience in Gethsemane to redeem His people, and His garment was indeed drenched in the perspiration of blood. He said nobody was there to help me. I came down to redeem the planet, but they wanted to resist me, so now the day of God’s wrath will come and Jesus will trample them where the blood will flow in the winepress of God’s wrath.

It’s a military activity, in which He is orchestrating, as He has done all through the years. The history of the politics of this world. He will bring them together under Satan’s false activity. And there He will then do what He said. I will tread down the people in mine anger. But it’s the year of my redeemed! Are God’s redeemed going to be trampled there?

Joel 3:9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I [am] strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.

This is during the plagues.

Joel 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake:

There is the opposite.

Joel 3:16 but the LORD [will be] the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

If we will be watching we will not be deceived by the subtle seductions of Satan, in which he has one object in mind; to bring the people to this terrible battle where the blood will flow. All the other places are affected by the other natural plagues, but in the valley, at the mountain of Megiddo, there will be the gathering of everyone who engages in war.

What is it today? All the young people, the cream of this world, men and women, are enlisting in the army. When I was a youth there were no women in the army, but now, when this time comes they will need cannon fodder. And they will enlist just like they did in my day when I was a youth. They will enlist you in the army, they will apply the draft. You will be drawn into the army whether you oppose or not. But those that are God’s children will know what they must do. They will be persecuted, yes, but there it is. The cream of the world will be slaughtered there, while the rest of them are being destroyed by the other plagues.

The important message for us today

Do you remember the beast and his image, the false prophet?

Revelation 15:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Where do we come out from? Come out of her my people. That means you come out of every organization that is bound together with the beast and his image that is bound together with following the ways of the world. You come out of all that, because if you don’t you will not receive the protection of God. It says come out of her that you receive not her plagues.

“Brethren, your duty, happiness, future usefulness, and final salvation call upon you to sever the tendrils of your affections from everything earthly and corruptible. There is an unsanctified sympathy that partakes of the nature of lovesick sentimentalism and is earthly, sensual. It will require no feeble effort for some of you to overcome this and change the course of your life, for you have not placed yourselves in connection with the Strength of Israel and have become enfeebled in all your faculties. Now you are loudly called upon to be diligent in the use of every means of grace, that you may be transformed in character and may grow to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” 5T 267.1

What a wonderful call out of Babylon that is! We are loudly called upon to sever the tendrils of our affections, to not permit lovesick sentimental Christianity to captivate us. So powerful.

So the valley of decision that we read is our concern today. Are we in the valley? Are we in the valley and getting drawn into the valley of decision? Then take heed of the doctrine, so that we will come out quick.

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

Let us be found with righteousness, the garment of righteousness covering us, because we have the doctrine that is pure and unadulterated in regards to this serious subject of Armageddon. This is my prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen.