Unsealing the Seven Thunders Restoration of the Covenant

prologue

There is a revival going on around the world. A revival with all the appearance of "primitive godliness." Not the kind you see on television, see or hear about in the news; at least not yet. This is a quiet revival as far as the world in general is concerned. But among believers and followers of IAUA (God) and IAUshua (Jesus), it is as a "wildfire in the stubble." It's participants are those that desire to "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth." Could this be Earth's last revival? It's at least the beginning of the final call to repentance.

The revival is a call to return to the “old paths” given in scripture, and to be a “repairer of the breach.” “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jer. 6:16. “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Isa 58:12 It is at first a call to repentance, in preparation for the final judgment of mankind on earth. This revival has spread around the world the last few years, with a tremendous surge beginning around 2008 or 2009, evidenced by the flourishing of information, and discussion groups and forums available on the internet. The thing that is most remarkable is that the internet is the primary vehicle for the flow of information and exchange of ideas among those seeking the full truth; the truth about IAUA, the Creator and His word. It is the resurgence of the heart of the Three Angels Message of Revelation 14, and the beginning work of the Fourth Angel of Revelation. It is the time of IAUA's final judgment on the earth.

Rev 14:6-10 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Rev 14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth, there will be, among the people of the Lord, such a revival of

primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. GC 464

1

I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. {EW 277.1

The world wide web has provided ways for students of scripture, and followers of the Lamb, to connect with each other, either by email, websites, forums, discussion groups, etc. Communication technology is responsible for the increase of knowledge and men running "to and fro." It is, without reservation, a sign of the time of the end.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Dan 12:4

Daniel was told to shut up the words and seal his book until the time of the end, which began in 1798. In the early 1840's, Daniel’s words began to come to light and the Millerites began a "process of discovery." One of the most important discoveries the Millerites made was the sacred calendar of scripture, from which they were able to determine the Day of Atonement in 1844, that of the 10th day of the 7th biblical month of scripture, which in that year, fell on October 22nd. Due to the interwoven mechanics of the sun and the moon, this calendar of scripture is commonly referred to as a "lunisolar" calendar. Without first discovering this calendar, the Sanctuary doctrine, one of the fundamental pillars of the Seventh Day Adventist church may not have been revealed. Essentially the scriptural calendar and the sanctuary or tabernacle are the keys that unlock IAUA’s entire plan of salvation, including all of his laws essential to the well being of mankind. Yes, it's about the Ten Commandments, but it's about so much more. And we've been kept in the dark; until recently. During that period of time, around 1844, there was much to be revealed. John the Revelator was given a vision, during which "seven thunders" uttered something. But John was told by a “voice from heaven,” to shut up what the seven thunders said and not even to write it down. While the words of Daniel were being revealed, the words of the seven thunders were being sealed. But why? The purpose of this paper is to explore the meaning of the seven thunders, and offer a plausible explanation of what it means for us today.

2

Introduction For over 165 years, the utterances of the Seven Thunders of Revelation 10 have been sealed. We would expect to have revealed to us, before the end of time, what the messages of the Seven Thunders are. The question remains, what were the messages of the Seven Thunders that John was told not to write. What do they mean for us, living down at the end of time. This paper will explore a very likely answer to the mystery of the Seven Thunders. While John the Revelator was exiled on the Isle of Patmos in the late 1st century CE, he wrote the book of Revelation, under divine guidance and inspiration. He was taken in vision more than once to the throne room in Heaven, and he was also given visions of future events that would occur, down near the end of time in Earth's history. It is one of these future visions that we want to examine here. (See all of Revelation 10 and 11 for complete text and context)

Rev 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. Rev 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. “The mighty angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ. Setting His right foot on the sea, and His left upon the dry land, shows the part which He is acting in the closing scenes of the great controversy with Satan. This position denotes His supreme power and authority over the whole earth.” Manuscript Releases pg.99 par.2 Rev 11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. "As the temple of God was opened unto His people, the light of the law of God, which was in the ark, shone forth. Those who received this light are brought to view in the proclamation of the third angel's message." (4BC 1152) "Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen points to the opening of the most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. Those who by faith followed their great High Priest as He entered upon His ministry in the Most Holy beheld the ark of His testament. (GC 433-434)

There have been multiple studies over the years, attempting to ravel the many characteristics and meanings of these verses. In this discussion, we only want to deal with what the thunders are, the sealing up of the seven thunders, and their unsealing in the end of time just prior to and during the tribulation.

3

Some notes about the name of God Before we begin the journey of unsealing the seven thunders, let’s examine the name of God for a moment, for explanation of why you will see it differently in this paper, except for quoted references. It is to honor His NAME as the reason for this explanation. God does have a name, and He wants us to know it and use it. His proper name has been removed from nearly all of scripture today, and is supplanted with words like God, Elohim, Lord, etc.

The following text is excerpted from a book by Richard Ruhling, titled The Earthquake and the 7 Seals. I am indebted to Richard for these insights.

Proverbs 30:4 asks, “What is His name?” These words reflect our need to know. Josephus, a Jewish historian at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction, gives us a major clue. He describes the high priest’s golden crown, “in which was engraven the sacred name [of God]...It consists of four vowels” Wars of the Jews, Book 5, Chapter 5, Section 7.

Some modern authorities agree. “The letters of the Name of God in Hebrew are yod, hay, vav, and hay. They are frequently mispronounced Yahveh ...[but] they are all vowels.” Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, The Book of Words, Jewish Lights Publ, p. 27.

Some say those letters are consonants, but a renowned Hebrew textbook says, “Long before the introduction of vowel-signs, it was felt that the main vowel-sounds should be indicated in writing, and so the three letters, yothe, hay, waw, were used to represent long vowels” A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, Weingreen, Oxford University Press, 1959, p. 7-8. God’s name is spelled yod, hay, waw [vav], hay.

The above three sources all support God’s name as four vowels. His name is said to be glorious. Psalm 96:8 How?

One reason is because of the meaning of the Hebrew letters—yod, hay and vav that compose it.

1. The yod is the first letter of God’s name. It is the smallest Hebrew letter and it looks like an apostrophe. As a vowel it has the sound of “i” in Gloria and it means hand as in giving, receiving or ownership.

2. The second letter of God’s name is the hay which sounds like “ah” and it represents light or rain.

3. The third letter is the vav and as a vowel sounds like “oo” in tooth. It looks like a concrete nail and has the meaning of nail or hook.

The meanings of the letters suggest they are the initials of the Father (Genesis 22:8), Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2), and the Son Psalm 2:12; Isaiah 53:4-7. God’s name is glorious for its meaning depicting the role of Father with an outstretched hand, the Holy Spirit as light to guide us and the Son nailed for us on the cross.

The best of Hebrew transliterates Josephus’ statement of God’s name (“four vowels”) as IAUA. “I” has the international “I” sound as in Gloria. [Phonetically IAUA is ee’-ah-oo”-ah.] This may be one reason the Jews “profaned” it--to avoid the heathen mocking it or laughing at them

4

because it is so different. But you wouldn’t want God to have a name like Tom, Dick or Harry; His name must be different. The reason you might see it written as YHWH, or YAHWEH, is because phonetically, they sound very much the same.

Consonants [like b, d, k, or m] are made by obstruction of air flow. God’s name has no obstruction like our names or characters have. His name and His character are all flow and melody. And the vowel tones are pure [not diphthongs like ah-ee = I. This reminds us of His apocalyptic promise—“then will I turn the people to a pure language [margin says lip] that they may all call upon the name of IAUA.” Zephaniah 3:9.

The first two letters (IA= ee-ah) were part of many Hebrew names—the prophets often came in God’s name like JeremIA or ZecharIA, and we should pronounce the “i” like “ee” as they do in most countries. Elijah was pronounced “el-ee-ah,” because there is no J in Hebrew. So Elia means El [short form of Elohim, meaning God] is IA. Women named Maria or Gloria have the short poetic form of God’s name (IA) as part of their name. Countries like SyrIA or SamarIA also have God’s name as part of theirs.

HalleluIA is an international word meaning “Praise IA” in most languages. You can read this short form of God’s name in Psalm 68:4, except translators supplanted the Hebrew yod with “J” making it “Jah,” where it should be IA [ee-ah].

Before the second coming, “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11. Since God’s name means salvation, it stands to reason that His name will also be restored to it’s rightful place in the end time. It is our privilege to share in this work of Elijah. God’s name is a subject all unto itself, but having given some basic explanation, we will leave it at that for now. In this discourse, your will find the proper names of God as IAUA, and Jesus as IAUshua.

Restoration of the Covenant Preparing for the Bridegroom

What IAUA did on Mt Sinai was present a covenant, in which he asked the Israelites 3 times if they would accept it. "All that the Lord has said, we will do." But this is about more than doing. This is about accepting the terms of the "ketubah," or "marriage contract." Will the bride agree to accept the terms presented by the bridegroom. IAUA, as the father, is the go-between, between the bride, and His son IAUshua. It is, in a sense, IAUshua asking us to marry Him. “In Bible times, a young man looking to be married would give the young lady that he hoped to be his bride a Ketubah, which was a very beautiful covenant contract for marriage. It was written with great care and forethought and given to her at a special dinner planned by her family. Written on this Ketubah Covenant was this young mans hearts desire; of how he loves and adores the young woman he hoped would be His bride; of his promises to her of all that he would be and how he would protect and provide for her; as well as his likes and dislikes, his favorite foods, his highest ideals, his standard of living, how he wanted his household run and his

5

children raised. This covenant was basically, The Blueprint for the Bride.” From “Blueprint for the Bride of Christ,” Pam Benton. The biblical wedding service that God gave marriage consisted of three stages. The first stage is betrothal. You enter this first stage of marriage as soon as a betrothal contract is made between the two parties. During betrothal, you are legally married, but do not physically dwell with your mate. The word for betrothal in Hebrew, 'erusin', comes from the Hebrew verb 'aras'. Aras is related to the Hebrew word 'asar', which means "to bind". By this, we can see that betrothal is legally binding. Betrothal is also mentioned in Exodus 21:8 and Deuteronomy 20:7 and 22:23,24. The three phases to a Hebrew marriage: the betrothal, the wedding and the celebration are realized in the relationship between the children of Israel and IAUshua. This truth serves as a perpetual illustration of how the bride (Israel) is chosen by her Bridegroom (IAUshua), is set-apart for Him (in her departure from Egypt/the world system), and is led to her betrothal by the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh. In preparation, she removes any soiled garments (sinful nature), bathes herself, then dresses in pure spotless robes (righteousness), and comes under the chuppah in agreement to the marriage covenant with her Bridegroom. There she says, “I will obey” (Exodus 19:5-6; 20:1-17). In Ex 19:10-11, the bride is to make herself ready. "And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai." In Exodus 19, when God, by the leading of Moses, brought the children of Israel to Mount Sinai, He was making a betrothal contract with Israel. The written betrothal contract represents "The book of the covenant" (marriage is a covenant) that Moses wrote prior to the revelation at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:4,7). The Book of the Covenant spelled out mutual obligations of God and Israel just as the betrothal contract spelled out the obligations between husband and wife. So, God made a marriage contract with Israel in Exodus 19:3-7. In Exodus 19:8, Israel accepts God's marriage proposal. Israel answered "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do." Moses wrote out the marriage covenant (Exodus 19-24). It was this testimony given to him by IAUA that showed the bride how to live out her life with her Bridegroom. Moses gave this written copy, called a ketubah in Hebrew, to the bride for her to keep as a remembrance of their vows. This copy of the vows, the ketubah, can also be identified as the Torah, the five books of Moses, or, in a fuller sense, the whole Word of God. At the end of the discussion of the betrothal on Mt Sinai, the agreement is set in stone. And here begins the tragedy of broken covenants. All IAUshua wants is a bride, that will willingly be in relationship with Him and Him only. May we all come to a fullness of understanding of the covenant, as we must completely understand the covenant, before we can enter into it.

6

Now, let’s see how the covenant is related to the seven thunders.

When were the seven thunders heard by John?

John's vision takes him down through the mainstream of time to the 19th century, over 1700 years into the future from his day. According to Seventh Day Adventist history, the seven thunders began to utter their voices on or about October 22 1844. It was during the Advent movement of 1844 the Sanctuary doctrine was revealed, which became one of the most important foundational pillars of the SDA church. This is pointed out in Revelation 11:19, and is the key to IAUA 's entire divine plan as revealed to us in His scriptures. In 1844, IAUA began the process of revealing all of His plan to modern Israel. Unfortunately, it appears the process was never completely fulfilled, as we are still here, and Jesus (IAUshua) has not returned. It was around this time in 1844 that the seven thunders began to utter their voices. John was apparently going to write what the seven thunders said, when he was told, by a “voice from heaven,” to seal up and not write what the seven thunders uttered. Why? As we will see in this discussion, all of IAUA 's plan had not been completely revealed yet, for the end days. In 1844, the 7th day Sabbath had not yet been revealed, and it is part of IAUA 's divine plan forever. Considering that the 7th Day Sabbath had not yet been revealed, what else might we look for that had not yet been revealed? Ellen White provides some insight into these events:

“After these seven thunders uttered their voices, the injunction came to John as to Daniel in regard to the little book: “Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered.” These relate to* future events which will be disclosed in their order. 7 SDABC pg.971 par. 4: (*Note: “relate to;” NOT, are future events.) The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested. In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. This is represented by the angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer. 7 SDABC pg.971 par. 6.

Summarizing what Ellen White wrote, we are told that the seven thunders related to future events (future from 1844-written in 1890), that they are a delineation of events which would transpire under the 1st and 2nd Angels messages, and that no further light regarding the seven thunders was to be revealed at that time (1844). We are left with the assumption that the messages of the Seven Thunders would be revealed sometime in the future. Strangely, it appears that Ellen White didn't have anything to say about the 7 Thunders during the great crisis of the 1888 period.

7

Definitions of Thunder (Hebrew/Greek) in Scripture Strongs Concordance H6963

qôl qôl kole, kole

From an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound: - + aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, [pro-] claim, proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder (-ing), voice, + yell. G1027

bront bron-tay'

Akin to brem (to roar); thunder: - thunder (-ing). Complete Word Study H6963

qôl: A masculine noun meaning a voice, a sound, a noise, a cry. This is an all-encompassing

word that is used of any kind of sound. It describes God's voice in the Garden of Eden (Gen_3:8, Gen_3:10); human voices, speech (Gen_27:22; Jos_6:10; 2Ki_7:10); singing (Exo_32:18); laughter (Jer_30:19); horses hoofs (Jer_47:3); animal sounds (1Sa_15:14; Jer_8:16). It is used of noises and sounds from inanimate objects: musical instruments, e.g., a shophar (Exo_19:16; Exo_20:18); a clap of thunder (Isa_30:30; Amo_1:2); feet marching (1Ki_14:6); chariots (Nah_3:2), etc. It refers to the content of speech, what is actually conveyed (Gen_3:17; Exo_3:18); also the contents of a written message (2Ki_10:6). In a special use, it refers to the sound meaning of a divine sign (Exo_4:8). The speech and utterances of the Lord as qôl are found often (Gen_22:18; Gen_26:5; Exo_5:2; Zec_6:15). The phrase qôl ôl means a loud (great) voice (Gen_39:14). The idiom to lift up one's voice means to cry out, to plead (Gen_21:16); to raise up one's voice means to prepare to cry out (Gen_39:15). The phrase qôl re’ means a voice calls (Isa_40:3, Isa_40:6). It may bear the meaning of news, a report, hearsay (Gen_45:16). The word is used as a personification of a person's blood crying out (Gen_4:10).

8

G1027

bront ; gen. bront s, fem. noun. Thunder (Mar_3:17, "sons of thunder"); see boanergés

(G993), which means sons of thunder, a surname applied by the Lord to James and John because of their lively, impetuous spirits (Joh_12:29; Rev_4:5; Rev_6:1; Rev_8:5; Rev_10:3-4; Rev_11:19; Rev_14:2; Rev_16:18; Rev_19:6; Sept.: Job_26:14; Psa_77:18).

Thunder Sent as a plague:

Upon the Egyptians Exo_9:23-34

At Sinai (As a covenant, or decree) Exo_19:16; Psa_77:18; Heb_12:18-19

During Battle Upon the Philistines, in battle with the children of Israel 1Sa_7:10

A token of divine anger 1Sa_12:17-18

Sent as a decree or judgment

Isa_29:6

A manifestation of divine power Job_26:14; Psa_77:18

Seven Thunders: Points to Consider

The Revelation of the Thunder Voices must compare with scriptures. These Thunders are to be revealed in the Last Days, when they are needed, just before the

coming of the Lord. These Thunder Voices will be made known to the True Church. The devil cannot catch this Revelation and he wants to keep us from it. The Seven Thunder Voices hold a key that will unlock something. The Revelation of these Seven Thunder Voices will give us Faith and Grace. The Seven Thunders were sealed on the backside of the book. The Revelation of the Seven Thunders hold the Mystery of the coming of the Lord. The Revelation of the Seven Thunder Voices is held by the Seven Angels. The Seven Thunder Voices are connected yet somehow different from the Seven Seals. The Revelation of these Seven Thunder Voices will wake up the bride. The Revelation of the Seven Thunder Voices will bring the full manifestation of the spoken

word. The Seven Thunders were spelling out something. These Divine Mystery Truths will turn the Hearts of the Children to the Fathers.

From the following website: http://www.revival.org/seven_thunders.jsp

NOTE: This website is affiliated with William Branham. This person appears to be controversial regarding their beliefs and presentations, although I believe deceased now. I am only using what I consider information of value to the discussion.

9

Thunder as the Voice of IAUA When do we hear it, and what does it mean?

We find many examples in scripture and related commentaries, indicating that thunder is heard as the voice of IAUA. Thunders in scripture represent at least three primary themes;

decree or covenant mercy judgment.

Let's take a closer look and see when thunders appear in the scriptures, and what they represent. Thunder in the Garden of Eden: (broken covenant; judgment, mercy) The first time we encounter thunder as the voice of IAUA in scripture is in the Garden of Eden. Although the word "voice" is used, it is the same Hebrew word for "thunder."

Gen 3:7-10 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice [thunder]of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice [thunder] in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Here we see and hear IAUA's voice as thunder, as His covenant is broken. We might assume that since the covenant/law had been broken at this point, that this time IAUA's voice is heard, it is about judgment. But it may first be about mercy. Notice that Adam and Eve clothed themselves with vegetation, but IAUA clothed them with skins. Here begins IAUA's plan of redemption for man, in the first example resembling sacrifice. Notice the correlation of Adam and Eve in Genesis, in the Garden when they were naked and ashamed, and IAUA clothed them with skins, compared to the Book of Revelation, where IAUA wants to clothe us instead with His righteousness,

Rev 3:17-18 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 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.

10

Thunders in the Plagues of Egypt: (Judgment) Thunders make their next appearance in scripture, just before the Exodus of the Israelites from 400+ years of slavery in Egypt. IAUA sent the plagues on the Egyptians as a form of judgment because of their enslavement of the Israelites, to convince Pharoah to let the people go; to release them from slavery.

Exo 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. Exo 9:2) Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. Exo 9:2) And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S. Exo 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. Exo 9:3) And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servant.

Thunders at Mt Sinai: (Decree or Covenant; legal dispensation; divine power and authority) Next, we encounter the voice of IAUA in probably what is the most significant display of His voice as thunder in all of scripture, when the Law or Covenant is given in its entirety at Mt Sinai.

Exo 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.

Here, amidst the overwhelming and awesome display of nature on Mt. Sinai, we hear the voice of IAUA as thunder, as He offers His covenant, or decree; the legal dispensation, if you will, of the overall law of IAUA.

Ellen White Commentary

"The Israel of God stood with their eyes fixed upward, listening to the words as they came from the mouth of Jehovah, and rolled through the earth like peals of loudest thunder." Early Writings, p. 34.

11

Gill Commentary . . . .there were thunders, and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount; which were to awaken the attention of the people to what they were to hear and receive, and to strike their minds with an awe of the divine Being; and to add to the solemnity of the day, and the service of it; and to signify the obscurity and terror of the legal dispensation, and the wrath and curse that the transgressors of the law might expect, even an horrible tempest of divine vengeance, see Heb_12:18.

Matthew Henry commentary V. The introductions to the service were thunders and lightnings, Exo_19:16. These were designed to strike an awe upon the people, and to raise and engage their attention. Were they asleep? The thunders would awaken them. Were they looking another way? The lightnings would engage them to turn their faces towards him that spoke to them. Thunder and lightning have natural causes, but the scripture directs us in a particular manner to take notice of the power of God, and His terror in them. Thunder is the voice of God, and lightning the fire of God, proper to engage the senses of sight and hearing, those senses by which we receive so much of our information.

Spurgeon, in one of his sermons, refers to the "thunders of the law." Here is an excerpt from his sermon No 87 regarding thunders;

“There is one striking proof I would offer to you, that the thunder is the voice of God; and that is the fact, that when God spake on Sinai, and gave forth His law, His voice is then described, if not in the first passage, yet in the reference to it, as being great thunders. "There were thunders and lightnings, exceedingly loud and long." God spoke then, and He spoke so terribly in thunder, that the people requested that they might hear that voice no more. And I must refer you to one passage in the New Testament, which will bear me out thoroughly in describing the thunder to be, indeed, the voice of God; and that is in the 11th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, where Jesus lifted up his voice to heaven at the tomb of Lazarus, and asked his Father to answer him; and then a voice came from heaven, and they that stood by said, "that it thundered;" it was the voice of God which was then heard, and they ascribed it to the thunder. Here is a remarkable proof when God's voice has been heard on any remarkable occasion, it has always been accompanied by the sound of thunder, or, rather, has been the sound of thunder itself.” The Majestic Voice-Thunder, Spurgeon Sermon 87

Mt Sinai is probably the most outstanding demonstration of thunders seen throughout scripture, except possibly for the end of earth's history, when the Seven Thunders are finally revealed. At Sinai, another principle of thunders is demonstrated; that of decree or covenant; the giving of the Law or Torah. Sinai represents the giving of the whole law of IAUA, beginning with the Ten Commandments. The total content of the law given at Sinai, includes all the statutes, commandments, and judgments, as well as the Ten Commandments. The total number of laws given at Sinai, including the Ten Commandments, totals 613. They are comprised of the 7th Day Sabbath, the Sanctuary doctrine, laws regarding how to live among our fellow human beings, the diet and health laws, tithe and finance, the sacrificial system, including all sacrifices, oblations and offerings.

12

Also detailed in IAUA’s divine plan, are all the “set-apart” or "appointed times," His "feast" days, or as the Hebrew word declares, His "moeds." This includes the 7th day Sabbath, as outlined throughout the Book of the Law or the Book of Moses, given by IAUA. It is IAUA's complete law for the benefit of humanity. The Book of Moses, or the Law, is essentially the "how-to" or instruction manual for the Ten Commandments, detailing how humanity should live to be in harmony with IAUA, our fellow human beings, and all of nature. We need to consider there is more involved in this scenario than simply the ten commandments. The reason to consider this possibility is because this scenario relates to the time of the end, the Three Angels Messages, and the "restitution (or restoration) of all things." Ellen White reminds us of this fact:

"In the time of the end, EVERY divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired." PK 678

What Was Revealed Amidst Thunders At Sinai The Offering of the Covenant

The 10 commandments, engraved in stone by the finger of IAUA, were placed in the Ark of the Testament, while all the laws, including the 10 commandments, all given by IAUA to Moses, were written in the Book of the Law and placed in the side of the Ark. This was so the people had access to the entire law as they were forbidden to touch the Ark of the Testament.

Deu 31:24-26 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law [torah] in a book, until they were finished, That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

Before Mt. Sinai

“Adam taught his descendants the law of God, and it was handed down from father to son through successive generations. But notwithstanding the gracious provision for man's redemption, there were few who accepted it and rendered obedience. By transgression the world became so vile that it was necessary to cleanse it by the Flood from its corruption. The law was preserved by Noah and his family, and Noah taught his descendants the Ten Commandments.” “As men again departed from God, the Lord chose Abraham, of whom He declared, "Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws." Genesis 26:5. To him was given the rite of circumcision, which was a sign that those who received it were devoted to the service of God--a pledge that they would remain separate from idolatry, and would obey the law of God. The failure of Abraham's descendants to keep this pledge, as shown in their disposition to form alliances with the heathen and adopt their practices, was the cause of their sojourn and bondage in Egypt. But in their intercourse with idolaters, and their forced submission to the Egyptians, the divine precepts became still further corrupted with the vile and cruel teachings of heathenism.” {PP 363-364}

13

At Mt. Sinai “Therefore when the Lord brought them forth from Egypt, He came down upon Sinai, enshrouded in glory and surrounded by His angels, and in awful majesty spoke His law in the hearing of all the people.” “He did not even then trust His precepts to the memory of a people who were prone to forget His requirements, but wrote them upon tables of stone. He would remove from Israel all possibility of mingling heathen traditions with His holy precepts, or of confounding His requirements with human ordinances or customs." {PP 363-364} “The covenant that God made with His people at Sinai is to be our refuge and defense. (Ex.19:3-8 quoted) This covenant is of just as much force today as it was when the Lord made it with ancient Israel.” SDABC 7A 35

Not just the Ten Commandments "But He did not stop with giving them the precepts of the Decalogue. The people had shown themselves so easily led astray that He would leave no door of temptation unguarded. Moses was commanded to write, as God should bid him, judgments and laws giving minute instruction as to what was required. These directions relating to the duty of the people to God, to one another, and to the stranger were only the principles of the Ten Commandments amplified and given in a specific manner, that none need err. They were designed to guard the sacredness of the ten precepts engraved on the tables of stone." {PP 364.1}

Moab: Borders of the Promised Land Renewing the Covenant after 40 years in the Wilderness

After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, because of disobedience, idolatry, rebellion, and outright sin, the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan River, just across the river from the promised land of Canaan. It was from these plains that Moses would repeat and reconfirm IAUA’s covenant with them. At Sinai, IAUA spoke directly to Israel and called the nation his “firstborn son” (Ex 4:22) and a “kingdom of priests” Ex 19:6). The covenant at Sinai, (see Ex 19-24) was ratified then broken by the apostasy of the golden calf (Ex 32; Num 12-14, 25:1-18), after which the Israelites were placed under the clerical supervision of priests and Levites (Ex 34-40; Lev 1-26). Owing to stubborn persistent disobedience, the Israelites were forced to spend forty years in the wilderness as punishment and to prevent the entry of the first generation into the Promised Land. Yet the second generation fell into idolatrous apostasy again at Beth-peor in Moab. After that, the covenant of Deuteronomy was instituted. Deuteronomy makes a clear distinction between the covenant at Sinai (or Horeb) and the later covenant in Moab; “These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which he had made with them at Horeb.” Deut 29:1. Whereas IAUA spoke directly to the people at Sinai, He now spoke only through Moses at Moab.

14

The repeated apostasy of Israel made the second covenant very different from the first. The idolatry of the golden calf (Ex 32), and again in Moab (Num 25), showed that Israel was not yet ready to assume the responsibilities of being a priestly kingdom. As a result, the laws in Deuteronomy had to make concessions to Israel’s unholiness. “I gave them statutes that were not good, and ordinances by which they could not have life,” IAUA says in Ezek 20:25. This startling declaration comes after a summary of the covenant and rebellion in the wilderness, the point being that some of the laws in Deuteronomy made concessions to Israel’s sinful nature. This same idea underlies IAUshua’ teaching on Deuteronomy’s legal provision for divorce: Mat 19:8 “He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” So we see much of Deuteronomy as the fallout from the apostasy in the wilderness. Deuteronomy lowers the bar of moral expectation for a people struggling with weakness. Divorce is “not good,” but it must be regulated to prevent even worse abuses (Deut 24:1). The wars of extermination in Canaan were “not good,” but were made necessary by Israel’s constant attraction to the abominable idols of her neighbors (Deut 20:16-16; Matt 5:43-44). The Lord alone is King (Deut 33:5; 1Sam 8:4-7), and earthly kings are “not good” (1Sam 8:10-18), but the Israelites would demand one anyway (Deut 17:14-20). The principle behind these concessions was to prevent, if possible, the worst excesses of evil by permitting lesser ones. So this was the condition of the “chosen” people as they prepared to enter the “promised land.”

What Changed At Calvary? What was done away with, and what wasn't!

What happened before Calvary? Before time was, IAUA was. IAUA’s nature is perfect, inviolate, greater than any other. He was (and is) Justice, and His system was, and is, unchangeable. Then, about 6000 or so years ago, IAUA created man. Eventually man sinned, violating IAUA’s system of justice. IAUA's system demands justice. There was no way to avoid His justice. And now man was under condemnation. His legal nature demanded the penalty of death for disobedience. IAUshua legally paid the just penalty for that sin against IAUA. IAUshua, and only IAUshua, was the One in all the universe who was able to legally pay the penalty on our behalf. Because of the death of IAUshua at Calvary, IAUA’s legal system of justice is now able to legally forgive our debt of sin, and forgive us - once and for all, for all our transgressions - before IAUA! Forgiveness by IAUA is a legal act within His Holy Justice. IAUshua’ death and resurrection provides that legality. No other way is given to man by which he can be freed from the condemnation of IAUA for his sins. Only those that accept IAUA’s justification through IAUshua will ever be accepted by IAUA, because that is part of his legal justice system.

15

Only the blood of IAUshua was, and is, accepted by IAUA to legally forgive a person. Otherwise man remains under condemnation. Only IAUshua is sufficient as the total substitute for all the punishment we legally deserve before IAUA. IAUshua is the expiation, the only appropriate amends before Almighty IAUA, Creator of all. IAUA provides this ¨way out¨ for us. And IAUshua "paid it all." Messiah’s Baptism Even satan hears the voice of IAUA as thunder

Satan was present……… at the time when Christ presented himself to John for baptism. He heard the majestic voice resounding through Heaven and echoing through the earth like peals of thunder. He saw the lightnings flash from the cloudless heavens, and heard the fearful words from Jehovah, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." He saw the brightness of the Father's glory overshadowing the form of IAUshua, thus pointing out in that crowd the One whom he acknowledged as his Son with unmistakable assurance. The circumstances connected with this baptismal scene had aroused the most intense hatred in the breast of Satan. He knew then for a certainty that unless he could overcome Christ, from thenceforth there would be a limitation of his power. He understood that the communication from the throne of God signified that Heaven was more directly accessible to man. {ST, April 5, 1883 par. 6}

What happened with the penalty of death for disobedience Before Calvary? Prior to IAUshua' death, IAUA had devised a way for man to atone for his sins. It was known as the ceremonial or sacrificial system, and was part of the service of the Sanctuary or Tabernacle. This specifically detailed system, was set up by IAUA for man to have a way to commune with Him, and for man to atone for his sin and disobedience. An elaborate system of sacrifices, oblations and offerings in the Sanctuary provided a way for man to offer up to IAUA, his attempt at repentance and reformation. This system worked for hundreds of years, as it paved the way for IAUshua to ultimately pay the full price for sin and disobedience for each one of us. The blood of sacrificed animals substituted for the blood of IAUshua, which was to come at Calvary. What Was Completed or Done Away With At Calvary? When IAUshua died at Calvary, he paid the ultimate price for sin, the penalty of death for man, as a result of sin and disobedience. When he died, and the veil in the temple was rent, the price was paid, and the ceremonial law, i.e. the sacrifices and oblations, were ended. There was no longer any need for sacrifices to take place in the temple, as part of man's part to atone for his sin and disobedience. IAUshua now replaced that system with His own sacrifice.

Dan 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 desolate.

Ellen G White Comments regarding the end of the Sacrificial System

"And in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." In A. D. 31, three and a half years after his baptism, our Lord was crucified. With the great sacrifice offered upon Calvary, ended that system of offerings which for four

16

thousand years had pointed forward to the Lamb of God. Type had met antitype, and all the sacrifices and oblations of the ceremonial system were there to cease. {GC88 327.3-328} The ceremonial system was made up of symbols pointing to Christ, to His sacrifice and His priesthood. This ritual law, with its sacrifices and ordinances, was to be performed by the Hebrews until type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Then all the sacrificial offerings were to cease. It is this law that Christ "took . . . out of the way, nailing it to His cross." Colossians 2:14. PP365 "The opinion is widely held, that the sacrifices and offerings of the Hebrews possess no significance for Christians, and can be of no interest to them. This opinion is without foundation. It is true that the ceremonies of the Mosaic law are not now to be observed; but, when rightly understood, they are seen to be all aglow with sacred and important truths. These rites, appointed by Jehovah himself, were like so many beacons to light up the path of God's ancient people, and to direct their minds to the great sacrifice to be offered for the sins of men. Viewed in the light of the cross, they contain most precious lessons for the people of God today.” Review & Herald, January 9, 1883

Man's attempt to cover his nakedness and shame When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, their response was to cover themselves with vegetation. IAUA's response was to cover them with skins. This then, is the first indication of the sacrificial system.

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? Gen 3:7-11

IAUA's Ultimate Covering for Sin and Disobedience When the sacrificial system was fulfilled with the first coming of IAUshua through His sacrifice at Calvary, He made provision for another covering; the Robe of His Righteousness;

Rev 3:17-21 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." No longer were the skins of the sacrificial system required. IAUshua provided a better and more sure way.

17

IAUA's Law, in any respect, was not done away with at Calvary. The only thing that changed at Calvary, was the way in which sin and disobedience was dealt with and atoned for. Nothing else. IAUA's law remains in effect today, and those that love Him, and desire to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth, will obey His commandments; ALL of them.

What Was Finished at the Cross; and What Wasn't? Questions that demand answers

It is generally believed today that much of what is called the "old covenant" was finished at the cross. It is believed that IAUshua eliminated certain aspects of the covenant with His people, and that much of what is called the "old covenant" is no longer required. It is usually referred to as the ceremonial law or system. But there is much more that is involved, and for the most part, misunderstood. The “ceremonial law” is part of a much larger picture. In general, it is also believed that saturday as the 7th Day Sabbath was/is not part of the old covenant or ceremonial system. In order to support or sustain that belief, proponents of this theory must excise, or remove, the 7th Day Sabbath from the list of IAUA's appointed times in Lev 23. In this account of "feasts," or “appointed times,” IAUA gives us the Holy Days that are part of His covenant with mankind. The 7th Day Sabbath is listed as the first of those appointments. There is no scriptural instruction to remove this special day from the list and appoint it to another time and place, and on another calendar that isn’t ordained of IAUA. This is simply man's doing, of "changing times and laws." Daniel 7:25 Are these beliefs actually true? In reality, much of what is thought to be done away with, remains as part of IAUA's covenant for His last day people and plan. Let's examine what Ellen White has to say in this regard. What Wasn’t Done Away With At Calvary? In many places in her writings, Ellen White makes it very clear that the statutes, judgments, feasts, or appointed times, as well as the Ten Commandments were not done away with at Calvary.

In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the ten commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law. Christ speaks to such: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven." What is the will of the Father? That we keep his commandments. Christ, to enforce the will of his Father, became the author of the statutes and precepts given through Moses to the people of God. Christians who extol Christ, but array themselves against the law governing the Jewish church, array Christ against Christ. {RH, May 6, 1875}

18

We are to become familiar with the Levitical law in all its bearings; for it contains rules that must be obeyed; it contains the instruction that if studied will enable us to understand better the rule of faith and practice that we are to follow in our dealings with one another. No soul has any excuse for being in darkness. Those who receive Christ by faith will receive also power to become the sons of God. 1BC 1110 The light esteem in which the law of God is held, even by religious leaders, has been productive of great evil. The teaching which has become so widespread, that the divine statutes are no longer binding upon men, is the same as idolatry in its effect upon the morals of the people. Those who seek to lessen the claims of God's holy law are striking directly at the foundation of the government of families and nations. Religious parents, failing to walk in His statutes, do not command their household to keep the way of the Lord. The law of God is not made the rule of life… A reformation in this respect is needed--a reformation which shall be deep and broad. Parents need to reform; ministers need to reform; they need God in their households. PP 143 God’s Statutes are connected to the descent of the Holy Spirit! The prophecies in the eighteenth of Revelation will soon be fulfilled. During the proclamation of the third angel's message, "another angel" is to "come down from heaven, having great power," and the earth is to be "lighted with his glory."… During the loud cry… the light of present truth will be seen flashing everywhere… The Word declares: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes." This is the descent of the Holy Spirit, sent from God to do its office work… As men, women, and children proclaim the gospel, the Lord will open the eyes of the blind to see his statutes, and will write upon the hearts of the truly penitent his law… Other chapters will open before us, and in order to discern their meaning, we shall need keen perception. RH Oct. 13, 1904 (Article, The Closing Work) Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge: God's favor toward Israel had always been conditional on their obedience. At the foot of Sinai they had entered into covenant relationship with Him as His "peculiar treasure. . . above all people." Solemnly they had promised to follow in the path of obedience. "All that the Lord hath spoken we will do," they had said. Exodus 19:5, 8. And when, a few days afterward, God's law was spoken from Sinai, and additional instruction in the form of statutes and judgments was communicated through Moses, the Israelites with one voice had again promised, "All the words which the Lord hath said will we do." At the ratification of the covenant, the people had once more united in declaring, "All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient," Exodus 24:3, 7. God had chosen Israel as His people, and they had chosen Him as their King. {PK 293.1} "Now therefore hearken," Moses had instructed Israel, "unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. . . . Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a

19

wise and understanding people." Deuteronomy 4:1-6. {PK 294.1} {RH, February 19, 1914 par. 2} Near the close of the wilderness wandering the conditions of the covenant had been repeated. At Baal-peor, on the very borders of the Promised Land, where many fell prey to subtle temptation, those who remained faithful renewed their vows of allegiance. Through Moses they were warned against the temptations that would assail them in the future; and they were earnestly exhorted to remain separate from the surrounding nations and to worship God alone. {PK 293.2}

If we think most of IAUA’s divine plan has been done away with, there are some questions that we need to ask before making a final decision. Questions that must be answered

If the 7th Day Sabbath was not part of the feasts or ceremonial system, why were sacrifices required (Num 28:9-10)? If sacrifices were required on 7th Day Sabbaths, why wasn't the 7th Day Sabbath done away with when the sacrifices were?

Since the Sabbath is the first item in the list of appointed times or feasts in

Leviticus 23, why is it not included with the rest of the feasts on the same calendar the feasts are on.

If Saturday is the true 7th Day Sabbath, why would IAUA give specific detailed

instructions to Moses regarding EVERYTHING except how to find saturday as the 7th day in scripture?

If New Moon Day is not a biblically recognized day, why were there specific

sacrifices for new moon day?

If new moon day has no relevance today, why is it mentioned in Isa 66:23, indicating a future application, along with the 7th day Sabbath?

If freewill and thank offerings were done away with as part of ceremonial

system, why are they still claimed today?

If the health and dietary laws were part of the ceremonial system, why are they still being applied today?

If tithing is part of the old ceremonial system, why is it still claimed today?

If all of the “old covenant” was done away with, why have churches and institutions spent so much time and energy studying and writing about it. Certainly not just to prove it was done away with.

20

What Was Revealed in 1844 The Millerites and the Seven Thunders

"In the time of the end, every divine institution is to be restored.

The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, [changed, not substituted] is to be repaired." PK 678

The Beginning of Restoration The restitution, or restoration of all things began in 1840-1844. Unfortunately, the process that was begun and was highlighted (delineation of events) in 1844, failed to be completed. We are now over 165 years further down the road of history from that time. We need to examine what was being revealed, and what might have been missed. We must ask the question, what does "every divine institution" mean? Does it mean more than simply the 7th Day Sabbath, and the Ten Commandments. We must also ask the same question of 1888. Several times during that momentous time in history, Ellen White stated that "the Lord would have come ere this." Amidst the message of Righteousness by Faith in 1888, was something missed; an incomplete message if you will. We have to assume this due to the fact we are still here, and IAUshua has not returned. After the early 1900's, she had little more to say about the 2nd coming. And we are now over 120 years well past “ere this.” What Was Revealed to the Millerites; and What Did They Miss? The Sanctuary doctrine, one of the primary pillars of Adventism, was revealed to the Millerites in 1844. But it was not simply the sanctuary or tabernacle that was being revealed. It involved so much more. It was IAUA's overall plan for mankind, which included His appointed times, feasts, or moeds, dietary and health laws, statutes and judgments, lifestyles for living, etc. It was for the benefit of all mankind that IAUA intended to reveal His entire plan to the Millerites. In a nutshell, IAUA was about to reveal or restore everything that was initially given at Sinai. And His Sacred calendar is at the core of His entire plan.

"As the temple of God was opened unto His people, the light of the law of God, which was in the ark, shone forth. Those who received this light are brought to view in the proclamation of the third angel's message." (4BC 1152) "Therefore the announcement that the temple of God was opened in heaven and the ark of His testament was seen points to the opening of the most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 as Christ entered there to perform the closing work of the atonement. Those who by faith followed their great High Priest as He entered upon His ministry in the Most Holy beheld the ark of His testament. (GC 433-434)

1844: Adventism at “Mt Sinai" (Coming out of Egypt: heading for the promised land) In the 1840's, the biblical lunisolar calendar was one of the first parts of IAUA's divine plan to be revealed to the Millerites, in order that they could determine the Day of Atonement. This calendar would eventually lead them to the discovery of the Sanctuary doctrine, or the tabernacle in Heaven. (See Hebrews 9)

21

Just before the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, IAUA began to restore His sacred calendar to them. This was in the 1st month of the year of the Exodus. Beginning in the 3rd month of the Exodus, IAUA began restoring His complete law to them. First the calendar; then the law. But before Sinai, the first item on the agenda of restoration was the Sabbath. The 7th day Sabbath was reinstituted with them in the 2nd month of the exodus, as detailed in Exodus 16 in the account of the quail and the manna. “. . . . that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” Ex 16:4. The parallel to Adventism is highly remarkable, in that it was the restoring of the sacred calendar, leading to the discovery of the 10th day of the 7th month, the Day of Atonement, which in 1844, was October 22nd. Once the Millerites understood the sacred calendar, the unveiling of truth led to the restoration of the understanding of the Sanctuary, or tabernacle, one of the foundational pillars of the SDA church. But the Day of Atonement and the Sanctuary was just the tip of the iceberg in 1844. IAUA began revealing everything that He initially gave to the Israelites at Mt Sinai. This was Adventism's call to leave Egypt, or more to the point, to come out of the world. A complete revelation of IAUA's divine plan would have included: IAUA's sacred or appointed times, feasts, festivals, [moeds]

The 7th day Sabbath

Feast of Trumpets

New Moon Days Feast of Tabernacles Passover The sanctuary or tabernacle doctrine Feast of Unleavened Bread Diet and health laws Feast of Weeks Tithe and Finance Pentecost Laws for living in relationship to IAUA and all mankind

Beginning in the 1840's, and more specifically 1844, IAUA intended to reveal His overall plan; His complete and WHOLE law, for the benefit of all mankind, just as He did at Mount Sinai. Every "divine institution" given at Mt. Sinai, was to be restored beginning in 1844.

Mt. Sinai 1844

Exodus 19:16 (the third day) Revelation 11:19

Thunders Lightning

Voice of Trumpet Very loud blast

Whole mount quaked greatly

IAUA's entire law revealed “every divine institution”

Golden Calf

Thunderings Lightning

voices earthquake great hail

IAUA began to reveal His entire law

Sacred calendar revealed

Sanctuary in heaven revealed 7th day Sabbath eventually revealed, but on wrong

calendar

Was “Saturday” as the 7th day Sabbath, Adventism’s “golden calf?”

22

What Did the Millerites Miss? We know from the history of the SDA Pioneers, and the writings of Ellen White that all of IAUA's plan was not restored during that time. We also know this because IAUA's overall plan is not evident in the church today. We know that the 7th Day Sabbath did not surface in 1844, and even when it did present a couple of years later, it was then kept at the wrong time for another 10 years. Eventually the truth of "even" was revealed in a vision, and corrected. When we compare what was given at Sinai, and what is evident in the church today, we find that nearly all of IAUA's holy days specified in scripture are missing. In fact, some papal pagan holidays are observed instead. The only 'holy day" we find evident is the 7th Day Sabbath on saturdays, on a roman calendar. During the period of the Advent movement, Sabbath was observed starting about 1855, from sundown friday till sundown saturday. We find little evidence that IAUA's other sacred appointed times are being observed within the mainstream of Adventism. We also find that little of the rest of IAUA's laws are observed, in the form of the statutes and judgment given at Sinai. What statutes do exist have been picked and chosen to fit the needs of the church. Remember the words of Ellen White; "In the time of the end, EVERY DIVINE INSTITUTION will be restored." (PK 678) We must assume that many of the "divine institutions" not evident in the church today, are about to be restored. So what are the rest of IAUA's Laws, Statutes, Judgments; what are all of the "divine institutions?"

What Happened in 1888? Adventism On The Borders of the Promised Land

Adventism was scripturally standing on the borders of the promised land in 1888. Since we did not go in, we must have turned back into the wilderness, where we have been since. We are now at least 123 years behind IAUA's intended plan to take His people into the kingdom. The question is WHY? Ellen White makes it very clear; (*note the date-pre 1888)

The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ, would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from his word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us. {PH001 1.2} Healdsburg CA May 30 1882

23

Moab: 40 years after Egypt (40 years in the wilderness)

1888: 44 years from 1844 (44 years in the wilderness)

Deuteronomy SDA General Conference

Borders of the earthly Canaan

IAUA's entire covenant revisited

IAUA's entire law repeated and reviewed

Song of Moses

Israel Numbered

Minneapolis Conference

IAUA began to reveal His entire law

Sacred calendar revealed (10th day, 7th month)

Sanctuary in heaven revealed

Attempts by Jones-Waggoner to reveal IAUA's

appointed times; "feasts"

Adventism’s Skeleton in the Closet

IAUA's appointed times sent to the scrap heap with ceremonial/sacrificial law in 1888

3 Angels Message?

Saints Numbered

The Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb

still waiting to be sung Ellen White testifies where Adventism stood in 1888 (Note the years of each of the references)

God’s power was to go with them. If those who claimed to have a living experience in the things of God had done their appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would have been warned ere this, and the Lord Jesus would have come in power and great glory. For God has appointed a day in the which he will judge the world. He tells us when that day shall come,--"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." IAUshua wants every minister to whom he has committed a trust, to be faithful, to remember his injunctions, to contemplate the vastness of the work, and upon how large a number the obligation rests. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." {RH, October 6, 1896 par. 7} Had Adventists, after the great disappointment in 1844, held fast their faith and followed on unitedly in the opening providence of God, receiving the message of the third angel and in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the world, they would have seen the salvation of God, the Lord would have wrought mightily with their efforts, the work would have been completed, and Christ would have come ere this to receive His people to their reward. But in the period of doubt and uncertainty that followed the disappointment, many of the advent believers yielded their faith. . . . Thus the work was hindered, and the world was left in darkness. Had the whole Adventist body united upon the commandments of God and the faith of IAUshua, how widely different would have been our history!

24

It was not the will of God that the coming of Christ should be thus delayed. God did not design that His people, Israel, should wander forty years in the wilderness. He promised to lead them directly to the land of Canaan, and establish them there a holy, healthy, happy people. But those to whom it was first preached, went not in "because of unbelief." Their hearts were filled with murmuring, rebellion, and hatred, and He could not fulfill His covenant with them. {Ev 696.1} For forty years did unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion shut out ancient Israel from the land of Canaan. The same sins have delayed the entrance of modern Israel into the heavenly Canaan. In neither case were the promises of God at fault. It is the unbelief, the worldliness, unconsecration, and strife among the Lord's professed people that have kept us in this world of sin and sorrow so many years.--Manuscript 4, 1883. {Ev 695.3} {Ev 696.2} Had the church of Christ done her appointed work as the Lord ordained, the whole world would before this have been warned and the Lord IAUshua would have come to our earth in power and great glory.--DA 633, 634 (1898). {LDE 38.2} Had the purpose of God been carried out by his people in giving the message of mercy to the world, Christ would have come to the earth, and the saints would ere this have received their welcome into the city of God. {MMR, May 9, 1908 par. 9}

Attempts at Restoration of Divine Institutions in 1888 Restoring the Covenant Sometime during the crisis of 1888, attempts were made by certain individuals to bring the issue of the statutes, judgments, including appointed times or feasts, into the light. But these efforts were resisted. The following information has been selected from an article titled “Remember the Law of Moses with its Statutes and Judgments; Nailed to the Cross in 1888,” by David Barron, located at the following webpage: (Emphasis is mine). http://www.thethirdangelsmessage.com/remember_law_moses.php Shortly before 1888 a major issue arose regarding “The Law in Galatians.” It ended up that some of our pioneers such as G.I. Butler and Uriah Smith believed that the Law of Moses was the ceremonial law alone, so they chose to nail the Law of Moses to the cross. G.I. Butler called it “the abolished law of Moses” (G.I. Butler, “The Law in Galatians” page 41) In 1893 when the subject of pork eating was being discussed using the statute in Deut.14:8, Uriah Smith who was also considered a major contributor to the rejection of the 1888 message given through elders A.T. Jones and E.J. Waggoner nailed the health statutes to the cross because he felt the statutes were part of the Law of Moses. Uriah Smith said: “We believe there is better ground on which to rest [the prohibition on pork] than the ceremonial law of the former dispensation, if we take the position that that law is still binding, we must accept it all, and then we shall have more on our hands than we can easily dispose of.” {MR 852. 2.}

25

E.J. Waggoner brought up the issue of the law of Moses in his book “The Gospel in Galatians”, which was a reply to the book by G.I. Butler called “The Law in Galatians”. What did Ellen White say about Waggoner and the law? “You know that precious light has shone forth in connection with the law of God, as the righteousness of Christ has been presented with that law. Dr. Waggoner has opened to you precious light, not new, but old light which has been lost sight of by many minds, and is now shining forth in clear rays” (The 1888 EGW Materials, 174). “And for the first time I began to think it might be we did not hold correct views after all upon the law in Galatians, for the truth required no such spirit to sustain it.” {1888 Materials bk.1 p.221} Waggoner understood that “the law of Moses” and “the law of the Lord” were the same law. He also understood that when Paul was speaking of “the law” in Galatians, as well as Romans and other books, he meant “the law of God” or “the law of Moses”. There was no distinction; they were the same law. Have we made this mistake today in trying to distinguish between the “law of Moses” and the “law of God?” Oftentimes I see these charts used by our modern day Seventh Day Adventist ministers, and on one side of the chart they have “the law of Moses” and on the other side of the chart “the law of God”, and they say, “the law of Moses” was “against us”. They also say, “the law of God” is “for us” on the opposite side. To a degree this is true, but what they fail to realize is that “the law of God” is “the law of Moses”, and it is witnessing against us when we break it. Another mistake is that they say it is the ceremonial law that witnesses against us, but the fact is, the moral law is witnessing against us instead. The law witnesses against us when we rebel. It is not the remedial law that would witness against us. That was performed after we rebelled. Therefore the law of Moses is not only the ceremonial law, but it is also the moral law, which witnesses against us. After we violate the moral law, it teaches us that we need IAUshua. The law, including both moral and ceremonial, cannot justify us. It only points out the fact that we deserve “DEATH”, and we need to run to IAUshua who is the only one who could satisfy the demand of this law which was witnessing “against us”. This law is not just “the law of Moses”, it is “the law of IAUA.” They are one and the same just as Waggoner tried to share in 1888. When Ellen White wrote regarding the law of Moses, she said:

“From the light which God has given me it would be for our advantage to study the directions given to Israel (read Malachi 4). Verse 4 especially has a meaning which all have not comprehended. Let it be carefully considered.” {PH087 8.2}–E. G. White: Pamphlets -PH087 -Special Testimony to Battle Creek Church (1897). Mal 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

26

"The closing words of Malachi are a prophecy regarding the work that should be done preparatory to the first and the second advent of Christ. This prophecy is introduced with the admonition, "Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." {SW, March 21, 1905 par. 1}–E. G. White: PERIODICALS / SW –The Southern Watchman -March 21, 1905 "In The Spirit and Power of Elias.) "God is now testing and proving His people. Character is being developed. Angels are weighing moral worth and keeping a faithful record of all the acts of the children of men. Among God's professed people are corrupt hearts; but they will be tested and proved. That God who reads the hearts of everyone, will bring to light hidden things of darkness where they are often least suspected, that stumbling blocks which have hindered the progress of truth may be removed, and God have a clean and holy people to declare His STATUTES AND JUDGMENTS... The Captain of our salvation leads His people on step by step, purifying and fitting them for TRANSLATION...” (1T 332.3).

Ex. 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep ALL HIS STATUTES, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

“In consequence of continual transgression, the moral law was repeated in awful grandeur from Sinai. Christ gave to Moses religious precepts which were to govern the everyday life. These statutes were explicitly given to guard the Ten Commandments. They were not shadowy types to pass away with the death of Christ. They were to be binding upon man in every age as long as time should last. These commands were enforced by the power of the moral law, and they clearly and definitely explained that law.” {RH, May 6, 1875 par. 10} –E. G. White –The Review and Herald May 6, 1875 –The Law of God.

Notes about this quote: Statutes guard the ten commandments

These explained the moral law. These were given to Moses. These were repeated at Sinai indicating they existed before Sinai. They were repeated and reconfirmed at Moab just before the promised land. They will be binding as long as time should last. They were not nailed to the cross and did not pass away at the death of IAUshua. The

only thing IAUshua abolished at the cross was the penalty of death. Deu 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Deu 30:16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it Statutes that were not Nailed to the Cross Consider this: How can we expect IAUA to pour out His Spirit on a church that says, “We keep the commandments”, and yet nails some of the statute commandments to the cross where they

27

don’t belong? We have nailed more to the cross than just the penalty that was against us. We have gone so far as to nail “the law of Moses” to the cross with many of its “statutes and judgments.” Not everything is so black and white. There are 2 parts of the law, the Moral Law and there is the Ceremonial or Remedial System which was put in place after violating the moral law. But there seems to be a gray area where there are a lot of “statutes”, and some, as we’ve discovered, are still binding which include statutes regarding health, marriage, tithing, fornication, usury. These statutes are still binding. Then there are statutes which pointed to the cross and were part of the Ceremonial Law such as “Sacrifices” and “Offerings.” But there is a question concerning “the Feasts of Jehovah” as well as some of the other statutes that remain. Here is a quote from Pam Benton who did some research on this topic. This is what she discovered: “Our English word statute comes from two original Hebrew words, Strong's #2706 choq and Strong's #2708 chuggah. According to Strong's Lexical Aids, the definitions for both words are the same, except #2708 has the added qualifier of being permanently binding. The word statutes (#2706) most always refers to the sacrificial system and is not permanently binding. The word statutes (#2708) most always refers to the moral law, including God's holy days in Leviticus chapter 23, and is permanently binding. Thus the original Hebrew words themselves suggest to us which statutes are permanently binding.” --Diamonds in the Sand by Pam Benton. So looking at the Hebrew we can get a good idea of what is permanently binding and what is not.

“In the days of Christ these feasts were attended by vast multitudes of people from all lands; and had they been kept as God intended, in the spirit of true worship, the light of truth might through them have been given to all the nations of the world. “With those who lived at a distance from the tabernacle, more than a month of every year must have been occupied in attendance upon these holy convocations. The Lord saw that these gatherings were necessary for the spiritual life of His people. They needed to turn away from their worldly cares, to commune with God, and to contemplate unseen realities. “If the children of Israel needed the benefit of these holy convocations in their time, how much more do we need them in these last days of peril and conflict! And if the people of the world then needed the light which God had committed to His church, how much more do they need it now!”(Ellen White 6T 39-40)

So what have we learned? 1. The Law of Moses is not nailed to the cross 2. The law of Moses is the law of IAUA 3. In 1888 a message was sent from heaven to clarify this. 4. In 1888 the spirit of the IAUA was rejected. 5. The glorious gospel is seen in the Law of Moses 6. It can blind the eyes of the unconverted. 7. The unconverted is at enmity with that law. 8. The Law of Moses is part of the Elijah Message 9. Their was much light to shine forth from the law after Ellen White died 10. The law contained statutes which explained the 10 commandments. 11. These statutes are binding forever. 12. IAUshua abolished death and nailed it to the cross. Not the Law of Moses. 13. The feasts were not Ceremonial but Moral Statutes.

28

14. IAUshua as the Passover sacrifice was set aside 4000 years before the cross. 15. The Passover day was not nailed to the cross as Paul kept the Passover. 16. The Philippians, Corinthians, Colossians and early Christians were all Feast Keepers. 17. Rome thought to change times and laws. 18. AT Jones, EJ Waggoner, and Ellen White never spoke against the Feasts. 19. We should keep the Feasts today. 20. The New Moons are festivals which are meant for the purifying of the body of IAUshua, his Church. http://www.thethirdangelsmessage.com/remember_law_moses.php *END excerpts from article For additional information about the issues were that were related to the feasts, statutes, judgments during the 1888 period, see “Exposing the Skeleton in the S.D.A. Closet of 1888” by Norman Bradley. http://www.normanbradley.info/

What Needs to Be Restored What was taken away, is what needs to be restored

Whenever Israel went into apostasy, supplanting their own traditions for those of IAUA, there were consequences. For whatever reasons, the children of Israel periodically turned from the ways of IAUA and implemented their own ways. Because of these errant and sinful ways, IAUA said he would cause them to forget their own way of doing things. He said he would remove their feasts and festivals, their appointed times, their own traditions. IAUA said in several places in scripture that their way of doing things, apart from His ways, were an abomination to Him. Let's look at some of the places where IAUA caused their ways to be removed or forgotten. Hosea I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. (Hos 2:11) Isaiah Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;

29

though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isa 1:10-20) Amos Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it? I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts. (Amo 5:20-27) Lamentations How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and remembered not his footstool in the day of his anger! The Lord hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied: he hath thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter of Judah; he hath brought them down to the ground: he hath polluted the kingdom and the princes thereof. He hath cut off in his fierce anger all the horn of Israel: he hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy, and he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire, which devoureth round about. He hath bent his bow like an enemy: he stood with his right hand as an adversary, and slew all that were pleasant to the eye in the tabernacle of the daughter of Zion: he poured out his fury like fire. The Lord was as an enemy: he hath swallowed up Israel, he hath swallowed up all her palaces: he hath destroyed his strong holds, and hath increased in the daughter of Judah mourning and lamentation. And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest. The Lord hath cast off his altar, he hath abhorred his sanctuary, he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces; they have made a noise in the house of the LORD, as in the day of a solemn feast. (Lam 2:1-7) In the above examples of scripture, we find the "divine institutions" that have been lost throughout the centuries, due to apostasy. disobedience, ignorance, and willful sinfulness. It is these "divine institutions" that we must consider that need to be restored. We are told in Isaiah 66:23 of two of the "divine institutions" that will be restored. Notice that the "new moon" and “Sabbath” are two of these divine institutions that will be restored.

And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another,

30

and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. (Isa 66:23)

What needs to be restored, are all of IAUA's "appointed times," at their proper time, which consist of the 7th Day Sabbath to it's rightful place in IAUA's sacred lunisolar calendar, Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Pentecost, Day of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. If Saturday, as the 7th day Sabbath, is the biblically correct day, why would it need to be restored? What does not need to be restored are the sacrifices and oblations, that were required under the ceremonial and sacrificial system. Daniel tells us clearly that these were completed at the sacrifice of IAUshua on the cross.

Dan 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 desolate.

Ellen White supports this as well. See references from Ellen White in other places in this paper. It was at the point of the crucifixion that death was no longer required as a penalty for sin. IAUshua took our sentence upon Him instead.

Where is Adventism today? 165 years in the Wilderness

In 1844, The Millerites, and eventually Adventism, stood scripturally at the foot of Mt Sinai, and began to receive the covenant of IAUA, or the law, IAUA’s set-apart or appointed times (feasts), including everything written in the 5 books of the Old Testament. (with the exception of the sacrifices and oblations) The Israelites, at Mt Sinai, chose to create an idol to worship, the infamous “golden calf.” Adventism, following 1844, appears to have created it’s own idol, in Saturday as the 7th day Sabbath. According to scripture, the 7th day Sabbath outlined in scripture cannot be found on a papal, roman calendar. Did Adventism, in 1846, create it’s own “golden calf,” when Saturday was adopted as the 7th day Sabbath?” In 1888, Adventism stood scripturally in the land of Moab, ready to enter the promised land, evidenced by the writings of Ellen White. Today, Adventism, and all of IAUA’s church, not only are not in the promised land, they have retreated to the wilderness, and have marched steadily back toward Egypt. Today, not only are we not in the promised land, we are over 120 years overdue. And from all appearances, we are at the end.

The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader, and is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of spiritual power. Doubt and even disbelief of the testimonies of the Spirit of God is leavening our churches everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of

31

Christ, would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated. God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from his word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest faith among us. {PH001 1.2} Healdsburg CA May 30 1882

The Mighty Work of The Fourth Angel is long overdue

I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven, descending to the earth, and again ascending to heaven, preparing for the fulfillment of some important event. Then I saw another mighty angel commissioned to descend to the earth, to unite his voice with the third angel, and give power and force to his message. Great power and glory were imparted to the angel, and as he descended, the earth was lightened with his glory. The light which attended this angel penetrated everywhere, as he cried mightily, with a strong voice, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." The message of the fall of Babylon, as given by the second angel, is repeated, with the additional mention of the corruptions which have been entering the churches since 1844. The work of this angel comes in at the right time to join in the last great work of the third angel's message as it swells to a loud cry. And the people of God are thus prepared to stand in the hour of temptation, which they are soon to meet. I saw a great light resting upon them, and they united to fearlessly proclaim the third angel's message. {EW 277.1

Summary Thunder represents the voice of IAUA, and seven represents "completeness" (see Acts of the Apostles, p. 585); therefore, the seven thunders contain the complete revelation of IAUA's voice to His remnant people who are living in "the times of restitution [restoration] of all things" (Acts 3:21). The seven thunders contain the full depiction of Mercy's last call, the rainbow revelation of IAUA's promise to continue to speak to us "until [our] righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth," that we "may eventually stand on Mount Zion with the Lamb." Presently, IAUA’s voice, through His sacred word, is “thundering” around the globe, using, of all things, the internet. The flurry of activity on the world wide web is like “wildfire in the stubble.” IAUA’s followers are meeting on the web, from all over the world, in discussion groups, forums, email exchanges, Facebook groups, small fellowships around the world, and any other form of communication, that binds people together who are seeking IAUA’s ultimate truth, willing to follow the Lamb “whithersoever He goeth.” Have the messages of the 3rd and 4th angels been taken from the SDA church and given to a remnant people? From the looks of the activity around the world, in camps of many denominations, this appears to be the case. It is the beginning of the “restitution of ALL things.” It is the restoration of the covenant of IAUA. And His voice is “thundering,” “behold the bridegroom cometh.” Are you ready?

32

Now all these things happened unto them for

ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1Co 10:11

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin

to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Luke 21:25-28

Book and Publication Abbreviations GC The Great Controversy; Ellen G. White RH Review and Herald Publishing EW Early Writings; Ellen G. White ST Signs of the Times PK Prophets and Kings; Ellen G. White PH Special Pamphlets PP Patriarchs and Prophets; Ellen G. White EV Evangelism; Ellen G. White SDABC SDA Bible Commentary; White Estate LDE Last Day Events; E.G.White Compilation MR Manuscript Releases; Ellen G. White Paul W Puckett August 8 2011

33