War in heaven, triggered a compulsive desire to be obsessed with self.
“Leaving his place in the immediate presence of God, Lucifer went forth to diffuse the spirit of discontent among the angels. Working with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealing his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God, he endeavored to excite dissatisfaction concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings, intimating that they imposed an unnecessary restraint. Since their natures were holy, he urged that the angels should obey the dictates of their own will.” (Emphasis added – Great Controversy, page 495).
I grew up, being taught to reverence and honor God and His Holy Word. Emphasis, as a Christian child, lent to the surrender of self, and obedience to my Creator.
It’s war alright. Just stand back and watch a child throw a tantrum, when they want something they think is better than the instruction being given by a loving parent who values self discipline.
In all honesty, millions of adults, including those claiming to be God’s anointed and appointed, are throwing ugly tantrums. Today, if we don’t like how something reads in the Bible, we apply our favorite hermeneutic, and move on, led by the desires of our heart. Anything less than that, is now falling under a relatively new term. Spiritual abuse.
God is being tossed aside, just as a third of heaven behaved when the then covering cherub became a social justice activist. Rivaling our King through acts of mutiny, would have long lasting effects.
The same ploy and self-focused tactic is being administered by the blood thirsty throng today. Satan, and his companion’s days are but the few grains left in the hourglass. If they can get their clutches on you and me, they believe it will buy them a little more time, in an effort to overturn the Almighty King.
Rights and freedoms no longer resonate with morality. If you want something someone else doesn’t want, just campaign for it. Legislate it, without regard of the freedoms of choice that established America, drawing people from all nations around the world. The narrative of the day is becoming the laws of tomorrow. Freedom of choice is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Less than fifty years ago, the vast array of denominations that exist, were united with the overwhelming biblical interpretation of homosexual behavior as sin. God’s Word provides no other explanation or definition. example of same-sex marriage and sexual intimacy is in the Bible. Only one prescribed union, between that of a man and woman is present from Genesis to Revelation. Man’s dissatisfaction with that, has introduced “Queer Theory,” and the self-indulgent argument that God is pleased with any interpretation of “love” that serves a human concept over Godly counsel.
Keep in mind, that as humans, we are all stricken with the stain of sin. Our natural inclination is to follow the dictates of our own will, influenced by the original contender of God’s laws of love. Rebellion, which is far from holiness. Meekness and humility don’t come naturally. The more we concentrate on Christ, the more we engage in building intimacy with Him. By invitation, and submission, we become overcomers washed in the priceless blood of Jesus. There’s no safer, or more treasured place to be.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus gives us numerous examples of the perilous consequences of sin, in contrast with the adoption of His righteousness. To be honest, it’s simple in concept, yet much more complicated in personal application. Self always seems to want to rise up.
Throughout history, the use of make-up has accentuated what we consider beautiful, and applied to cover up what we don’t like.
With the advancement of Satan’s clever deceptions, an agent of deception has become a constant additive. In attending our Christian schools in my youth, counsel from the Spirit of Prophecy would frequently stir rousing, rebellious conversations. If an inspired passage questioned pleasurable, or preferred practices we weren’t interested in giving up, we were quick to discredit the bearer of such counsel.
The older I got, the more I noticed adults acting more like rebellious children. The infection of self grows if not surrendered to God. God’s counsel has always directed us to His discipline. Many looked to throw out inspired counsel whenever it restricted undisciplined, self-focused gratification. would seek out a church that doesn’t support or use words from the Spirit of Prophecy. Instead of being grateful for reverberating counsel and greater depth, we complained and threw tantrums, grabbing for justification and protection of our cherished indulgences.
Here is where it gets interesting and particularly noteworthy. God’s Word is trusted from Genesis to Revelation. However, biblically, we have often witness groups in scripture who decided to live life according to the desires of man, instead of the counsel of Christ. Sin always had consequences.
History is repeating itself. Just like the Israelites, we’re rebelling. We want our golden calf. We want things to be more in keeping with the desires of the flesh and the trend of the day, along with voices that cater to such desires and reinterpret scripture to be compliant with the flesh. So many are deciding to exchange God’s truth, for lies, just as was foretold. We can’t even seem to come to acknowledge the fulfillment of prophecy among our own. We don’t like this God of discipline and order, yet we still claim the “Christian” label, content in cesspool of self-gratification,
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa. 5:20.)
Over the past twelve years ministry, I have witnessed a decline in worship, honor, and obedience to God. I’ve witnessed how my own flesh has won at times. While I continually hear curt words referencing God’s inspired messenger, I have found comfort in words she wrote, like these:
“The divine Teacher bears with the erring through all their perversity. His love does not grow cold; His efforts to win them do not cease. With outstretched arms He waits to welcome again and again the erring, the rebellious, and even the apostate. His heart is touched with the helplessness of the little child subject to rough usage. The cry of human suffering never reaches His ear in vain. Though all are precious in His sight, the rough, sullen, stubborn dispositions draw most heavily upon His sympathy and love; for He traces from cause to effect. The one who is most easily tempted, and is most inclined to err, is the special object of His solicitude” Education, page 294.
These words give me hope. They reaffirm hope, salvation, and restoration in Jesus. Be careful about isolating uncomfortable counsel, and throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
During my personal ministry, I’ve chided, counseled not to mention entities, leadership, or respected institutions of our enlightened denomination. Not to mention, being misquoted. At times, it would appear, to protect, or cover up, rather than humbly speak with transparency, stating that error can manifest itself anywhere. We all fall short of our commission from God. I fall short. And yet, I see Jesus as my only hope, and the only hope for anyone identifying as a follower of Christ.
Isn’t it time that we honor and praise our Creator, uphold His Word and His statutes, fearless of the terror that may come? Who are these people that will bear this final message? Will we keep casting it off onto another generation?
I’m currently working on a highly controversial project, committed to upholding the everlasting truth and love message of Jesus, whatever the cost may be. Under invitation of guidance from the Holy Spirit, I seek to preserve human rights and religious freedom. Aren’t you concerned with Satan’s developments? It’s not just about taking a stand for God’s instruction to rest and keep His Sabbath Holy. However, many might benefit from a reexamination of this remembrance from Exodus 20: 8-11. If you’re waiting to defend the Sabbath, perhaps you’ve waited too long. Satan is a clever master of disguise.
He’s found a way to catch us off guard. Today, nearly every family has a member identifying as LGBT+. Whether from physical abuse, social media, or a defiant, self-indulgent manifesto, Satan is claiming those whom God has gifted the breath of life. Without God’s Holy application of the gospel, self will overtake the precious gift God offers all who will look to Him.
Many are rebelling and establishing “their truth,” superseding the sovereign authority of King Jesus. The overarching LGBT+ narrative is a silent giant removing Christ from “Christianity.”
Having left the LGBT+ world for Jesus, it would seem there would be abundant celebration within our denomination, in observance of the power of the cross. However, increasing in frequency, a very different celebration is taking place. The celebration, and insistence of self. Loud declarations and laws, stating that “change” is not possible or necessary. That we must live according to how we “feel.”
Have we thought beyond the narrative? Have we considered the mantra of a different king? Who decides what is criminal, immoral, physically damaging, and beyond repair? Christ or culture?
How is it that the LGBT+ militant narrative has now criminalized praying with someone who no longer wishes to identify as LGBT+ in fourteen countries? Most recently in Canada, in January of this year, with the C-4 bill.
How long will Laodicea sleep? How long will we exist without a single sheet of paper from our denomination, with the gospel invitation of hope, restoration, and redemption in Jesus, placed in the hands of our beloved LGBT+ friends and relatives? More than a hundred and fifty years so far.
Why would it be less than ideal, for someone who once lived continually seeking to satisfy the flesh, to talk about living to honor God? My own church is campaigning to silence my testimony. Currently in Sweden. If my story is so repulsive, why isn’t simply not attending good enough? Why would you care if someone else decided to attend to hear this testimony? It must contain power those of a different persuasion fear. I’m caught off guard witnessing my church living in fear, with such devoted fear of my testimony.
In America, we’ve celebrated the proliferation of human rights and religious freedoms on our way to three centuries. I care very much for my brothers and sisters in the LGBT+ community. Through the freedoms America has provided, you have your voice. However, without mutual respect and human value, you’re stealing the same rights and freedoms of others. Where’s the love in that?
Over the years, I’ve witnessed rebel messages of “Christian” activists on an array of topics. This is what I find fascinating. In all these alternate messages, I’ve never witnessed the loving, compassionate invitation of Jesus and all that He offers. Instead, I witness hatred, despondency, and a self-constructed defense to remain the way you are. There’s no indication or hint of the need for the precious salvation Jesus extends to whomever would humble himself before Him.
I’m not a victim. I’m a convicted soul, who’s been gifted an identity centered in Christ, not in sensuality.
Humble pie isn’t on the list of favorites. It often has a bite that stings. However, it’s life-sustaining properties are of eternal value. Invite someone to let go of self and cling to trustworthy Jesus. Persecution is coming, followed by an eternity of sinless purity with a most compassionate and loving Father.
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Wayne Blakely is the Director of Know His Love Ministries. www.knowhislove.org. After living in the LGBT+ culture for nearly forty years, he surrendered to Jesus ten years ago and today seeks humility in Jesus, sharing His “love in truth” message.