Dear brethren and sisters throughout the world,
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be unto you as greetings! It is my hope that you continue to enjoy the joy and peace of heaven, even in this sin-stricken and darkened world; For it is written: “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalms 119:165
The peace that Jesus gives comes as a result of freedom from sin—the forgiveness that He grants to all who are repentant. For it is written: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” Psalm 32:1–2
Not a few who have been destitute of such peace have committed suicide in one form or another. For peace of mind is fundamental to personal happiness.
Further, I would like to greet the entire church with the hope of the soon return of our Lord Jesus Christ with power and great glory, to claim all those who have been sanctified by and through the power of His blood.
“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:30–31
“Soon we heard the voice of God like many waters, which gave us the day and hour of Jesus’ coming. The living saints, 144,000 in number, knew and understood the voice, while the wicked thought it was thunder and an earthquake.” –Early Writings, p.15
May you also be impressed with the following verses concerning His sure promises of His return: John 14:1–3; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; 8:1; 22:12; Hebrews 9:28; 1 John 3:2–3; Psalm 50:3; Jude 14–15. And many more!
Yet, before this aforementioned world’s greatest event, God’s people will have to pass through trials and temptations, affliction and persecution (in some cases even by their own brethren). Please read 2 Corinthians 11:23–27. This is in line with the narrow path spoken of in Matthew 7:13–14, which involves self-denial and sacrifice.
But the greatest of these [trials] is what is just about to come upon us, that which will come upon the whole world—THE SUNDAY LAW. What are we doing at the present time to meet that crisis?
“The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The observance of the false sabbath will be urged upon us. The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Those who have yielded step by step to worldly demands, and conformed to worldly customs will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death.” –Prophets and Kings, p.188
To us it has been granted the opportunity to be ready now. This is so because even though probation will not have closed yet during the Sunday Law, that time may not be sufficient for us to start seeking the Lord. May you also be inspired by these words from the pen of inspiration:
“I was pointed down to the time when the third angel’s message was closing. . . . I saw angels hurrying to and fro in heaven. An angel with a writer’s inkhorn by his side returned from the earth and reported to Jesus that his work was done, and the saints were numbered and sealed. Then I saw Jesus, who had been ministering before the ark containing the Ten Commandments, throw down the censer. He raised His hands, and with a loud voice said, ‘It is done.’ . . . Every case had been decided for life or death.” –Early Writings, p. 279–280
Then will be fulfilled the word of the Lord through His apostle and prophet at Patmos: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” Revelation 22:11
Of the Sunday law, to those who before then, “have kept the word of [His] patience,” (that is: they have given up and overcome every known sin and besetment), the Lord says “I also will keep thee.” Revelation 3:10
In conclusion, therefore, I would like to extend my thanks to God for the life and everything that He gives us; for calling us “out of darkness into His marvelous light.” In Him we have and we shall have inexpressible peace and joy. Let us seek Him closer than anytime before! Let us keep praying for each other, if possible, by name.
Your Brother in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Joel J. Msiska
Malawi