Category Archives: The Parable of the Fig Tree
When the Heavens Fall
Scripture reading: Habakkuk 3:16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
This is our prayer—to be kept by the Lord; whatever the future bringeth, smiles of joy or tears of grief, still be able to cling and find our soul’s relief in Him. This is what this meditation is about. When the heavens fall, when everything that we have depended upon is suddenly lost, and there is nothing to rely upon by vision. These words “when the heavens fall” come from the following quote: Read the rest of this entry
13. The Sealing of the 144,000 – Overview
By John Thiel, The Characteristics of the Twelve Tribes of the 144,000 Conference, study 13, mp3
The sealing of the 144,000 tribe by tribe has been our meditation and our study for many hours. We have appreciated that ever since the work of the third angel who was the sealing angel, after 1844-1848, the sealing of the 144,000 has been taking place. And here we are today, my generation is the fourth generation from that time; and even at that time there were other generations that were part of that scene; so that makes it even five generations ago. The sealing of the 144,000 has been going on for that long. And like the twelve sons of Jacob, the people ever since 1848 were given a lifetime to perfect their characters so that they could be sealed among the 144,000. As we studied the sons of Jacob, we saw that they came to a position where they were so totally humbled, and their characters were so totally winnowed through the experiences, that they came even to the point of the death of their father, after all that had taken place in Egypt with Joseph, and you can see their utter humiliation and dependence on the mercy of God here expressed: Read the rest of this entry
7. The Consummation
Daniel 11
By John Thiel, Daniel 11 Series, Study 7, mp3
The conclusion of the Daniel 11 prophecy is cited in the following scripture.
Daniel 9:27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolator [margin].
We have been studying the activities of the desolators, and at the end of all the desolations that have happened we come to the consummation. “Even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolator.” God has an objective in His whole plan for this world and in the revelation of this prophecy; He is aiming to one end. Read the rest of this entry
Israel – The Parable of the Fig Tree
By John Thiel, mp3
Amos 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: [and] because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.
For how long have these words been uttered in the ranks of Adventism? For a very long time already. Those who have been familiar with Adventism all their life will recall that some of the generations that have now passed away used to preach that they expected Jesus to come in their lifetime. But they have passed away. Their parents too have expected that Jesus would come in their lifetime, and He didn’t. The words of our present message come almost as a mocking to many Adventist people today. “Prepare to meet thy God”? Do the young people think that Jesus is coming in their lifetime? But just a moment, are you sure? So many before you thought they were sure too. Is it possible that we here, at such a time as this, with such a message as this, could be as much disappointed that Jesus will not come in our lifetime too? If that same question would have been asked in Sister White’s time, in the time of my grandparents, they would have said, No! just like you are saying no right now. Read the rest of this entry
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