Monday: The Two Great Errors
Read the following texts. What do they tell us about Satan’s power to deceive?
Image © Justinen Creative Goodsalt.com
As we noted in an earlier lesson, Jesus had warned His followers about end-time deceptions. Among those He specifically warned about were the rise of false christs and false prophets who would “deceive many” (Matt. 24:5).
False christs and false prophets, however, are not the only end-time deception we have to be aware of. Our enemy in the great controversy has many ploys designed to deceive all whom he can. As Christians, we need to be aware of those ploys, and we can do that only through knowing the Bible and obeying what it teaches.
Ellen G. White explains what two of those grand deceptions are: “Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience”. — The Great Controversy , p. 588.
How incredible for us, even many years after she wrote those words, to see just how prevalent “the two great errors” continue to be in the Christian world.
| Why is knowledge of Bible truths and a willingness to obey those truths the most powerful weapon we have against the deceptions of the devil, especially in the last days? |
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Certainly Satan has the power to deceive which causes misery. However I am having trouble reconciling this fantastic image to the subject of Two Great Errors. I can see two beasts and a sightless man all three are spewing out frogs. 'I don't get it'. Would someone please explain, as I think pictures/images can go along way to explain things quickly instead of using words. But I need some words today.
Godblesss, with thanks to the artist for the work involved. Mrs A Stolz.
Inge may have more to say, but I suspect that this was the closest possible picture that was available to illustrate today's lesson. SSnet doesn't have its own artists - rather SSnet has an arrangement with Goodsalt.com who have an image database with a finite range of images to choose from. Sometimes there isn't an exact image, and so there is a need to choose the closest one from what is available.
As you may be aware, this image is based on Rev 16:13,14 - but it does illustrate the concept of the ultimate power behind the false christs and prophets.
The dragon=spiritualism
beast= Papacy
false prophet= apostates Protestants
Teach these two errors
immortality of the soul
the fourth commandments is not longer binding, and teach others to honor Sunday
I hope this help. May the Lord bless you!
The image depicts John’s vision as recorded in Revelation 16:13.:
“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
The image is quite apt against the background of this week’s lesson on deception and today’s lesson in particular on the two great errors: Sunday sacredness and spiritualism (for which the fallacy of the immortality of the soul is central). In John’s vision as described here, the dragon represents Satan or more specifically spiritualism; the beast represents the papacy; and the false prophet represents apostate protestantism in the US. This is the threefold union that forms the unholy trinity on the foundation of the 2 great errors that act as the bonding agent for these three actors who will rail against God’s remnant commandment keeping and grace receiving people in the last days. May we accept Jesus’s abundant grace, wash our robes in the blood of the lamb, and exercise daily faithfulness to Him as we follow His lead.
Soo inspiring.
When I clicked on the picture, the caption described the picture as "Three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet."
The frogs represent the false prophets. Think of where the power of the frog lies. It is in their tongue. That is how they catch, kill, and devour their prey. So it is with the false prophet. It is with the power of the tongue, with words, that the false prophet lures in and destroys those whom they seek to convince with their erroneous teachings.
I would like to say that knowledge of the truth is good and so is willingness to obey. However they are not the most powerful weapons because they can be weak without the Holy Spirit. How many people have had the struggle like Paul mentions about obeying and failing.
The great weapons against Satan and deception I believe are God's Word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the constant abiding in Christ. Let us be connected to Jesus through the Holy Spirit every day.
Because by following the Truth we will be on Jesus' side... In a fight where there are only 2 sides. God is much more powerful than evil, and we just need to be assured of this. He already sent His Son to die for us... and if He already won, why would I want to be on the loser's part? The tough thing is to be aware of this permanently, because we get caught in our daily activities in contemporary lifestyles that seem to distract our attention from what is really important! We need to be conscious all the time of the presence of Jesus in our lives! May we all exercise this Truth today!
"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee". This is still true today as when it was written, and as Jesus demonstrated, is how the devil is overcome through steadfast resistance as we walk in the light of the Word of God.
The scriptures are our safeguard from every deceiption, and have been appointed as such by the Author of them(Pro 22:20,21).
Satan's deceptions will overcome any soul that is not anchored firmly in the word of God both spiritually and intellectually. Such a person will not only know the word, but will walk in obedience to it. This is true worship: "in spirit and in truth"(John 4:24). Without the intellectual knowledge, we cannot have the living experience. This is why Peter instructs all to "add to your faith virtue, and to virtue, knowledge...", and to "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
The frogs symbolize deceptions from the dragon (devil), the beast (papacy) & the prophet (USA) the frogs were the last thing that Pharaoh's magicians could duplicate.
This lesson is talking about the two errors mentioned by EG White - “Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions"
The picture does not show that detail, just where the deceptions originate.
The second plague, bringing frogs from the Nile, was a judgment against Heqet, the frog-headed goddess of birth. Frogs were thought to be sacred and not to be killed. God had the frogs invade every part of the homes of the Egyptians, and when the frogs died, their stinking bodies were heaped up in offensive piles all through the land (Exodus 8:13–14).
The third plague, gnats, was a judgment on Set, the god of the desert. Unlike the previous plagues, the magicians were unable to duplicate this one and declared to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).
The picture depicts Rev. 16:13 and is the 6th of the 7 last plagues. Remember these are all symbolic.
New International Version
Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
This sixth plague is about the Battle of Armageddon; Rev. 16:13-16
"Ellen G. White explains what two of those grand deceptions are: “Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience”. — The Great Controversy , p. 588."
I think the second great error of a human being made up of a body and a separate "soul" that carries on living after the body dies is the very prevalent in the current Christian communities. We need to draw up a short study/list of texts that will help us to share the truth with others.
The big problem that I see is that the Bible writers used the word "soul" with a specific meaning and then the Greek philosophers came and gave it another meaning, now when people read the Bible and see the word "soul" they think of the wrong meaning.
Satan is very cunning as we all know. i just associated that Satan's great deception to Eve 'You will not surely die' Gen 3:4 was extended to humanity of an immortal soul. the Greek philosophers were such a powerful tool for Satan because of their elevation intellectual status. sadly, it was not based in the one true God.
How to explain the truth about the soul
1) the body and the breath of life became a living soul
Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
2) a soul can die
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
3) we don't live forever
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
4) only God is naturally immortal
1Ti 6:15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
1Ti 6:16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
5) God only promised those who believe will live forever, the rest perish
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
6) living forever is a gift from God, normally we would die
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
7) resurrection - only at His Second Coming will His followers put on immortality
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Those who believe in immortality of the soul are difficult to convince other wise. Similar to the 4th commandment, the only one sometimes that can break through is the Holy Spirit. We can facilitate the Holy Spirit though. I have always believed that we don’t use the Holy Sprit, the Holy Spirit uses us. Since the breath plus dust of the earth comprises a living soul, the soul also dies when the breath goes out. It is common sense that the breath goes out for more than 3 or so minutes the body and the soul dies. That is why that CPR and ACLS is so vital to save a soul. Bible often refers to saving a soul as saving a life. Here are a few more texts that reveal the truth.
“Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.”
Ezekiel 3:21 KJV
“And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?”
Ezekiel 13:19 KJV
“Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.”
Ezekiel 18:27 KJV
“All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died.”
Genesis 7:22 NKJV
“You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.”
Psalms 104:29 NKJV
“In a move that will no doubt be carefully watched by other European countries, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda signed a law today that limits trade on Sundays. In a country where 88 percent of the people profess the Roman Catholic faith, the new law received wide support from church leaders who argue it will greatly benefit the FAMILY LIFE of Polish workers. Enforcement of the Sunday law will be gradually phased in between March 1st and 2020. What happens in Poland should not be dismissed as insignificant to the rest of Europe and the world. REMEMBER, THE FALL OF COMMUNISM BEGAN WITH A MOVEMENT IN POLAND. Full article from ABC News below.
(You may want to share this with your friends.)” Doug Batchelor
https://amredeemed.com/signs-of-the-end/48565/
Who or what religion in the world can stand against a law which promotes family life.
Jesus began the end time prophecy with the words Do not be deceived.
Satan has been working hard to place human reasoning above scriptures. He is working hard to establish scriptures had its time and place now we have been enlightened with greater knowledge we are able to able find a solution to the evil.
We as a people need a day of rest from labor. Almost 90% of the government offices in the world does not conduct business on basis of which religion.
If we believe in reasoning, emotion and feeling we will be deceived.
God\'s word is the sure word of prophecy
If satan can deceived 1/3 of the angels who have been in the presence of God, we will be easily trapped by his snare.
The only answer to this deception is
Study the word, pray consistently, and be focused on Him.
Everything that points us away from Christ is a deception.
I am the truth
Thy word is the trut
These three frogs/spirits are the devil's counterfeit to the three angels message in Revelation. As we already know the dragon is the devil, the beast is a kingdom/government and the person is the false prophet. All united in sending forth this deceptive message that turns us away from God's truths. Therefore, "the two great errors" is spread. When we get familiar with prophesy and the meanings. The image becomes quite fitting.
Satan has been working hard to place human reasoning above scriptures. He is working hard to establish scriptures had its time and place now we have been enlightened with greater knowledge we are able to able discern evil.
We as a people need a day of rest from labor. Almost 90% of the government offices in the world does not conduct business.
Why?
If we believe in reasoning, emotion and feeling we will be deceived.
God's word is the sure word of prophecy
If satan can deceived 1/3 of the angels who have been in the presence of God, we will be easily trapped by his snare.
The only answer to this deception is
Study the word, pray consistently, and be focused on Him.
Everything that points us away from Christ is a deception.
I am the truth
Thy word is the truth
Well, thank you everybody for answering my question. Do a degree it showed my ignorance in not reading my bible properly. But to defend myself I simply did not understand the symbolism of the picture in relation to the study. I learned something from everyone who responded however I appreciated even more from Phil, Chris, Lecates, Shirley (re gods and soul), MA Hamilton. I hope this does not look like favouritism, it is just your words 'got through' to me. Godbless today, Mrs A Stolz.
Hi Mrs Stolz, I am glad you understand better. This is the benefit of the group, with the varied comments we usually find some that hit the mark.
Would someone please help me understand the following verses:
Matthew 13:42, 13:50 - and will throw them into the furnace of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 8:12 - but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 13:28 - in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves being thrown out.
Matthew 22:13
Revelation 14:11 - and the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night
Luke 16:23-24 - I am in agony in this flame. But Abraham said Child remember that during your life you received good things and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted and you are in agony.
Matthew 25:46 - then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
Mark 9:43 - if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
Jude 1:7 - they serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
My brothers and sisters, if there is no eternal torment then how do we explain these verses?
Good question Cayla
There are various 'issues' represented in the verses you mention. Three particularly relevant ones to your question are (a) fire, (b) eternal and (c ) torment.
Fire: The problem Christianity has fallen into is assuming that the fire is referring to literal flames. It is not - it is a metaphor for a process of refinement or cleansing (eg refiners fire). Have a look at Isaiah 33:14 which describes the same kind of picture as the verses you have mentioned - and then look at Isa 33:15 carefully. You will see it describes the characteristics of people who actually live within "continual burning". It is actually the righteous who live within the context of continual burning - ie, the progressive refinement of God's truth as they learn and live it more and more and more ...
Eternal: When the bible uses the word eternal, it uses it to describe the character of the thing it is describing rather than a length of time. Consequently, it would be more accurate to say that eternal means the thing being referred to lasts as long as the nature of the object is - hence "eternal punishment" means as long as the 'punishment' lasts (which is not a long time because self-destruction doesn't take very long). Eternal life is also as long as that kind of life lasts - but that actually does happen to be forever because its nature is never-ending.
Torment: The torment arises from the sin itself and the inescapable realisation of the full consequences of that sin - it is not something imposed by God. Those with 'hardened hearts' think they can continue living in sin - but one day they will find out that this is not the case (that "you will not surely die" was a lie by Satan) and the anguish of knowing that will be their torment. It's not that they become repentant at that point though - its just that they realise the reality of what they have sold themselves out to.
This is a very quick and brief summary, so if you have any further questions, ask away...
I want to thank everyone for their explanations and their kindness. I truly want to believe there is no everlasting torment for unbelievers. I know that when we die we do not go to heaven or hell right away. We are merely sleeping until Jesus return. We are not ghosts and we have no consciousness. My understanding is that when Jesus comes He will judge everyone. If we are found in Christ then we will go to heaven. Those who rejected Christ will be given the second death in the lake of fire as in Revelation 14:11. How can the smoke of their torment go up forever and ever if they have been burned into ashes?
Hi Cayla
"How can the smoke of their torment go up forever and ever if they have been burned into ashes?" Because the original Bible language for terms like 'forever/eternal' means as long as it lasts rather than our understanding of a specific length of time - and because the smoke is metaphor rather than literal smoke. The mark of the beast is also mentioned in the verse you referred to - it is not a literal mark, it is a metaphor. I also believe the lake of fire referred int this verse is also a metaphor - not a literal lake of literal fire - but a metaphor to illustrate that the earth will be cleansed and refined from that which has contaminated it. See Isa 65:5 as a similar example of what God is experiencing - not literal smoke, but as if it were smoke - an unpleasant stimulus/experience.
An important concept that is often overlooked is that God's ways are higher than our ways - different to our ways (Isa 55:8,9)- but Bible writers use examples of things from within our ways to try to explain concepts that are beyond our understanding. Christians have gotten into a lot of difficulty understanding and misunderstanding things that are analogy/metaphor/etc. This is not to say that nothing is literal - but to say that discernment is needed to distinguish between what is literal and what is metaphor. I believe (based on ongoing Biblical research) that much of our understanding of how we think the end time 'judgement' will play out is a reflection of 'our ways' - not God's ways. I think we will be very surprised when we actually experience God's 'judgement'.
A couple of instances that give some insight into the God's different ways are the parable of the prodigal son where the son is welcomed back and instead of being 'punished' for his wilful rebellion, has a lavish party thrown in his honour. And that the reaction of the older son is included in the parable is no coincidence - he is upset that it doesn't seem fair. His sense of justice is not met. The father's 'justice' and the son's are very different. Our sense of justice is very retribution-based. I watch with interest the quotes by past presidents regarding how they will bring justice on terrorists - meaning they will hunt them down and kill them.
And then there is also the parable of the hired workers who come at different times of the day - and each get exactly the same 'wages' (Matt 20:1-16). Again, it is pointed out that this doesn't seem fair - and again that illustrates that God's 'fairness' is very different to what we expect as humans.
To be sure, there are very real consequences for those who hold to their hardened hearts - but I am proposing we will be very surprised by the manner in which those consequences are actually manifest. I personally believe (but many will disagree with this view) that end time judgement will be much more about God stepping back and letting the inherent self-destructive nature of sin run its inevitable course (in line with Romans 3:26; Romans 1:18,24,26,&28; John 10:10; etc) rather than God needing to impose 'punishment' and 'wrath' in the way that is typically portrayed. We are only alive today because God restrained the inevitable consequences of sin that were unleashed on this world in Gen 3 - all He has to do is cease to restrain and, like releasing the held-back waters of the Dead Sea, self-destructive forces take over.
Ok, I just had a new thought on your question Cayla, concerning the "smoke" ascending for "eternity"(?). If this IS the intended meaning, it could be referring to the memory of what sin does to the sinner. A reminder of the wages and even the immediate effects of sin in the life, and this knowledge will serve to help keep sin(affliction) from rising again(Nahum 1:9). It also mentions that "they have no peace", which reminds us of sin's ill effects on any who partake of it.
So it could be speaking to the memory of what happened to our loved ones who rejected God's mercy, choosing rather to reap the wages of sin.
I could see this as a possible meaning. It doesn't say the flame ascends "forever and ever", but "smoke" seems to symbolize the memory of the final result to anyone who departs from the will of God, as a natural effect.
In other words: "the Law of the Lord IS perfect!", which refutes Satan's prime argument doesn't it?
Jude 1:7 is your answer as to meaning of 'everlasting fire"
Jud 1:6 And those angels not having kept their first place, but having deserted their dwelling-place, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of a great Day;
Jud 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, in like manner to these, committing fornication, and going away after other flesh, laid down an example before-times, undergoing vengeance of everlasting fire.
Where are the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah today? Are they still burning? No they burned up and became ashes. And that is their condition for ever and ever.
Often the word everlasting is referring to the result and not the length of time it takes to arrive at the result.
God only promises the gift of eternal life to those who follow Him, the rest perish/die. If people live for eternity in hell fire they must have eternal life, God does not contradict himself.
This misunderstanding of the Bible comes from the belief in an immortal soul which is separate from the body which is not Biblical.
Most people have been to a funeral - where the dead body is lying there - it is not in hell. So what is supposed to be in hell? Some believe it is the soul, but if the soul is in the fire how can it burn if it is a spirit?
If you see a person being cremated he is burned up to ashes within a few hours.
In Jesus' time there was a valley where all the rubbish was burned up as well as sometimes dead bodies - this answers some texts.
Other times Jesus was saying - even if someone kills you in this world (like the thief on the cross) - he was promising the people eternal life.
Other times Jesus could be referring to the lake of fire in Rev 20:13-15 which will be a once off happening and will be on top of the earth to cleanse it from all wickedness
Abraham & Lazarus is a parable and not to be taken literally, Jesus used their current beliefs to illustrate the point that there is no second chance.
Matt 25:41
Yes, that is the fire at the end of the 1000 years
Perhaps if we balance these passages with others, they might make more sense.
Try reading Psalm 37 completely through, and see if that helps. Also look at Dan 2:35 as well as considering what Revelation 21 and 22 imply on this matter.
"Eternal fire" is a fire with eternal results, and will burn until nothing is left to burn.
The worm(maggot) does not die: the maggots feeding on dead flesh will finish their work of devouring = no escape from final punishment.
the flame not quenched: the flame will burn itself out, not be extinguished before its work is completed = no escape from complete destruction.
Smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever: in the Greek, aion (ever) is a specific portion of time, and in this case seems to indicate the smoke ascends until the destruction is complete. No rescue from the final punishment for sin. Same as the flame will not be quenched, or extinguished, before finishing it's work.
Oh, in Psalm 37, notice vs 10, 20, 35,36, 38. There will be nothing left of the wicked once the flame has devoured and the maggot consumed. They will be reduced to ashes upon the earth(Eze 28:18, Matt 25:41) and then the earth made new(Rev 21,22).
I hope this will be helpful.
Phil explained the biblical meaning of many instances of "eternal" and "everlasting" quite well. Those words applied to the life of whatever was being discussed - an agreement between humans would last till the death of the people involved, a reference to fire would last till the fire went out. Some biblical references to "Gehenna" were translated as "hell." Gehenna was the garbage dump for Jerusalem. The fire burned "forever" until everything was consumed. (It's not burning today. 😉 ) On the other hand, when "forever" is applied to God, it means as long as God shall live, and He lives eternally.
One text was not specifically addressed:
Jesus here used a popular story that originated in Egypt to illustrate the point that individual fortunes on this earth do not reflect the approval or disapproval of the Creator but may be reversed in the afterlife. (If we took this parable literally, we would also have to believe in some kind of temporary place called "Abraham's bosom," as did one of my teaching colleagues in a Christian school until I presented him with a study on the biblical teaching of death as sleep.) It helps to remember that parables were generally meant to illustrate a particular truth, rather than each detail in the parable being a teaching point.
The Bible is the only tool we have in fighting the devil by taking God at His word and updating our self as nothing has been withheld from us. God has given us the timetable for this world and it's upon us to walk with him daily and we shall surely make it despite the devil 'so efforts.
. The Protestants of the United States will be foremost in stretching their hands across the gulf to grasp the hand of spiritualism; they will reach over the abyss to clasp hands with the Roman power; and under the influence of this threefold union, this country will follow in the steps of Rome in trampling on the rights of conscience”
What does this threefold union mean?
Hi Kristina.
The quote contained within the lesson refers to a convergence or combination of (a) spiritualism (the foundation of which is the belief in that a person's soul continues on after their death), (b) Sunday worship under the co-ercive initiatives of the Roman Catholic institution, and (c ) Protestantism.
This experience represents a reversal of the reformation and foretells the re-emergent dominance of the former co-ercive instrumentality/institution of the past Roman Catholic Church. By seeing the nature of how this institution carried out its 'business', its not hard to realise who its actual backing was - Satan, aka the beast, aka the dragon.
NOTE: this is referring to the Roman Catholic institution - not to Roman Catholic individuals. However, it would also apply to any other institution that uses the same co-ercive methods, regardless of the name of that institution. It is more about the nature and character of the institution/entity rather than the particular 'label' of that entity.
To Ms. Stoltz: I will attempt to answer your question about the picture image of 2 beasts and a man without eyes, all blowing out frogs. The books of Revelation and Daniel (related books) present images of strange animals; beasts which reflect 4 significant nations in history expressed in symbols that reflect their character. Those nations are Babylon, Persia (Medo-persia), Greece and Rome. The characteristics of those nations in their religious relm
To Ms. Stoltz (Cont.): The characteristics of the 4 nations of history in their religious realm is pagan, not of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Rome, the 4th nation in it's decline from political prominence in world history, evolved into a religious power under the Papacy which we see today. The Roman Papacy was and continues to be a religious system which practices the false doctrine of paganism and Christianity combined. It is a religious system under the influence and control of Satan. One of his deceptions to the world is/will be spiritualism; the occult practices. Spiritualism is anti-christ, but is taught by the Roman Papal system. It leads people a ways from Jesus Christ in whom only is salvation. A product of the Roman Catholic Church is Apostate Protestantism, or churches of other denominations which have allined themselves with the Roman Catholic Church. Frogs represent spiritualism taught in their doctrines (Example: people who die can still communicate through seance by mediums, crystal balls, etc). Thses are dangerous doctrines that are not Biblical, and do not lead to salvation in Jesus Christ. Frogs were used in ancient Egypt to have spiritual meaning in their pagan practices. So, Ms. Stoltz the picture you see is merely a symbol of expression that Satan (Dragon) who controls the Roman Catholic Church (the Beast), which influences and controls Apostate Protestant Churches (the False Prophet, or the Man without eyes because he is blind to the Truths of Jesus Christ) - All three will project Spiritualism on the world of men who do not keep the faith of Jesus and keep His Commandments! They will be deceived into keeping and believing a lie because of the power of Satan. But Jesus tells us not to fear because He has overcome the world! His power is greater than that of Satan and His allies! We have merely to trust in Him with all our heart, and not trust in ourselves, or in any other doctrine except that of Jesus Christ! Hope I have been of some help. - Robert Jackson.
Again thanks to Esther, Paulette and Robert J, I had to read through again to get your full meanings. I am presenting the lesson on Sabbath and can now include good explanation of this fantastic artwork in relation to The Two Great Errors. I hope someone can help Cayla Ramos and Kristina Kinard as well as you have all helped and blessed me with your explanations. Godbless today, Mrs A Stolz
It is true, as some mention above, that the clearest explanations from the Bible are not adequate for many who believe Satan's deceptions. But we have been warned: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim 4:3,4). We are seeing this among our own people as well.
It will take more than reciting "truth" to many who have been deceived. They will need to see that our profession is matched by how we talk and act at all times.
Our work is to witness, not convict. Yet, a loving and lovable Christian will help many to see the truth more clearly. Our work is not about winning arguments, our work is to save souls.
For the man left for dead on Jericho road, who would have the most influence upon him in a discussion over a point of truth: the priest or levite who had walked past him in his helpless state, or the Samaritan who did all he could for the wounded man's great needs?
Such amazing facts, am so blessed to learn & understand such revelation on this subject. May our lord bless us as we present this week's lesson on the Sabbath. Amen
we need to declare hosanna in the highest for unto us the savior has been revealed.thus,our duty and business is to shine unto the dying world about the grace of God and his love revealed through his son to purchase what he created in order to repossess the inheritance once lost.
above all,fight for your own salvation,lest we become like a bell sounding in the forest.
may God of all races blesses mothers,fathers and sisters whose quotes are inspiring.
remember am in Zambia, Africa SID,sabbath school coordinator
[thank you once more for your words.i have enjoyed]