What is it that Jesus is waiting for on "Planet Earth" before He comes back?

James 5:7 "Be patient therefore brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman (Christ) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth (you and me), and hath long patience for it (for us) UNTIL HE (UNTIL WE) RECEIVE THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN."

And what IS the "early and latter rain"?
It is the outpouring of the Holy spirit upon God's people. Acts 2:17: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH . . . ."

Ye Shall Receive Power, 332: "Where all the power of mind and body WAS BEFORE concentrated to work the works of evil, BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD a revolution is brought about. The Holy Spirit enlightens, Hebrews, and sanctifies the soul. Angels behold with inexpressable rapture the results of the working of the Holy Spirit in man."

Question: Is the "Latter Rain" important? Will ANYONE enter heaven who has not received the "Latter Rain?"

To the first, the answer is YES, YES. The answer to the second is NO, NO!

Meaning we should be praying for the reception for the "Early Rain" (For our personal growth), and the "Latter Rain" (for our final fruitation), preparing us for the "Harvest" by Christ." (cf. Mark 4:28, 29).

Can the "Outpouring of the Latter Rain" be counterfieted by Satan? Yes it can!

TM, 507: "Unless we are DAILY ADVANCING (Acts 5:32 - Obeying the Holy Spirit) . . . we SHALL NOT RECOGNIZE the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the Latter Rain. It may be falling on hearts all around us, but we shall not discern OR receive it."

QUESTION: If the "Latter Rain" is "discernable" - WHAT IS IT?

Let's look at three groups of people in Scriptures, and from their experiences we will see how important the subject is, and what happens if we do not receive the Holy Spirit in the Latter Rain.

Group No. 1 are HALF BAPTIZED!
Group No. 2 are HALF LOST!
Group No. 3 are HALF READY!

Now all three have the same problem, and the solution to their problem is also the same!

GROUP NO. 1: Acts 19:1-7 This group is HALF BAPTIZED!
Verse 7 There were "about twelve men"
Verse 1 At "Ephesus"
Verse 1 That "Paul" was anxious to meet! As a traveling man, and much of the time under adverse circumstances, Paul was looking for someone who could really bring him "Spiritual Encouragement!" And hearing about these new converts, and thinking of their zeal in their newfound profession, they would be the very ones to encourage him!

Verse 2 And his first question is NOT about the weather, the kids, their business -- NO, it was; "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?"

If the answer is YES--Paul is in for a spiritual feast of testimonies! And so he prepares himself for the occasion for rejoicing. But what he got was a real let-down! Instead of the exciting news he longed to hear - their reply went like this: "We have not so much as heard whether there BE any Holy Ghost." What a disappointment to Paul!

Verse 3 So Paul questions their baptism immediately! "Unto WHAT THEN were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism."

Now - is there a problem with John's baptism? Well it is obvious from this experience, and John's own words--that at best it is incomplete! Listen to what John said about his own baptism: Matt. 3:11.

"I . . . baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I . . . . he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."

So what Paul must have told these 12 men was that they were ONLY HALF BAPTIZED! How do we know that?

Verse 5 When they heard this (concerning John's baptism, V. 4), THEY were (re)BAPTIZED in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Verse 6: Then, AND ONLY THEN, did they not only KNOW THAT THERE WAS A HOLY SPIRIT BUT, THEY EXPERIENCED THE RECEPTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

And what happened when they received the Holy Ghost (Spirit)? ". . . They spake with tongues, AND PROPHESIED."

Acts 2:17, 18: God tells us that "IN THE LAST DAYS . . . I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and YOUR SONS AND your daughters shall prophesy, AND your YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS . . . . I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; AND THEY SHALL PROPHECY."

Not only SHALL THEY - but MUST THEY! This story is ABOUT END TIME CHRISTIANS--YOU AND ME! Those of us living since the "Cleansing of the Sanctuary" began in 1844 (See "SEALED & SAVED -OR- MARKED FOR SEPARATION" for the establishment of that date).

Rev. 10:10, shows us this "End Time Group!"

"And I took the LITTLE BOOK out of the angel's hand, and ate it up. and it was IN MY MOUTH SWEET AS HONEY: and AS SOON AS I HAD EATEN IT, MY BELLY WAS BITTER."

1. "The little book" was the Book of Daniel.

2. "Ate it up" was their study of it's prophecies.

3. "In my mouth sweet as honey"--because they thought it told them that Jesus was coming to cleanse the earth (mistakenly thinking that this earth the was the Sanctuary--instead of the "Heavenly Sanctuary.")

4. "As soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter"--because Jesus DID NOT come to this earth as they thought He would--and they had closed business, left crops in the ground, forsaken every earthly tie, thinking that He WAS coming!

What was failed to be understood THEN AND NOW (THOUGH FOR TVO VERY DIFFERENT REASONS) the very next text!
Rev. 10:1:
"And he said unto me, THOU MUST PROPHESY AGAIN before many peoples. . . ."

Their lack of understanding this text was due to Heb.12.26--"THE SHAKING" that God saw had to take place at that time in history.

OUR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING is preventing us from receiving the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as God designed us to. And thus we are not able to follow the example of Jesus as recorded in John 4:34; "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, AND TO FINISH HIS WORK."

And that is why we read the words of James 5:7--where the "husbandman," meaning Jesus, waits for "the precious fruit of the earth," meaning you and me, "until he (WE) RECEIVE THE EARLY AND LATTER RAIN."

But let us not mistakenly think that He will wait UNTIL WE ARE READY AND WILLING TO RECEIVE HIS SPIRIT! Just as the cleansing BEGAN Ol THE DATE SET BY GOD, SO IT WILL FINISH ON A DATE SET BY GOD, and that date is not dependent upon puny man!

We will come back and close out this application in a bit--but let us now move on to the group that is "half lost!" Group No. 2: Matt. 25:1-12 THIS GROUP IS HALF LOST!
THE "TEN VIRGINS"! And why are they called "Virgins"? Because they are "Pure" (Remenibering that a woman represents the church - Rev. 12:1,13,17), or they possess THE PURE TRUTH!

Verse 1 Identifies them.
Verse 2 tells us 5 were wise, and 5 were foolish.

Question: What made the 5 wise, wise, and the 5 foolish, foolish?
Answer: The wise took with them the "EXTRA OIL!"--(Verse 4)
Verse 3 The Foolish DID NOT!
Verse 5 And while the Bridegroom tarried--they ALL slept!
Verse 6 But at MIDNIGHT the cry went out "Behold, the bridegroom go ye out to meet him." Verse 7 All ten virgins arose, and began to trim their lamps. Then, the foolish virgins, upon seeing their lamps had gone out, and they had no EXTRA OIL, went to borrow from the wise.
Verse 9 "But the wise answered, saying. Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but GO YE RATHER TO THEM THAT SELL, AND BUY FOR YOURSELVES."
Verse 10 And while they are out trying to find the EXTRA OIL, "the bridegroom came; AND THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM . . . and the DOOR WAS SHUT."
Verse 11 Now the foolish virgins return, and cry out "Lord, Lord, open to US."
Verse 12 "But he (the Bridegroom, Jesus) answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I KNOW YOU NOT."

Now this story is A PROPHECY OF A PROPHECY. It is a prophecy of the events of the "Great Disappointment of 1844" that we just read in Rev. 10:10,11.

Question: Why was the "little book" BITTER IN THE BELLY?
Answer: Because the Book of Daniel (chapters 7:13 and 8: 14 especially) told those folks that the "Bridegroom" was coming, and they all were waiting and watching! But He "tarried"--and it was so disappointing to them.

But, AGAIN, had the prophecy of Rev. 10:11, in conjunction with Matt. 25:1-12 been understood--the Shaking would not have had its affect --there would have been no disappointment.

Question: Has the "Bridegroom" returned yet? NO--He still tarries! Then what are those who have truth to be doing SPECIFICALLY while the Bridegroom tarries?
Answer: Matt. 25:9 "GO AND BUY FOR YOURSELF!" Buy what? THE EXTRA OIL Buy from whom? From "them that sell!"

Psa. 119:105 "Thy WORD IS A LAMP, and ALL 10 HAD LAMPS. What is the OIL? Most would say it's the Holy Spirit! But IF THE OIL IS THE HOLY SPIRIT--AND THE "EXTRA OIL" IS STILL OIL--WHAT IS IT?!

We will return to the Virgins in a bit--but we must move on to the last story before we seek the solution!

Group No. 3: 2 Tim. 3:5,7 The group that is HALF READY!
Verse 5 Good FORM--No POWER!
Verse 7 Ever LEARNING--Never ABLE TO CONNECT KNOWLEDGE WITH LIFESTYLE!

Reninds me of a seminar I did some time ago. I was scheduled to go from Friday through Sunday noon. Well Saturday night, upon the conclusion of that day's sharing, but with three more hours to do on Sunday--a fight broke out among the brethern! Not a "slug-fest" with fists--but a "verbal beating" took place! What was it over (and remember they had neither been able to digest what I had shared with them, nor was I finished yet)--they could not agree on who was to follow me with MORE INFORMATION!

"EVER LEARNING" - but never doing anything WITH the learning!

Now, in looking back over these three groups--lets look at their similarities!
Group No. 1 had been BAPTIZED INTO TRUTH but lacked what it took to be able to prophecy!
Group No. 2 all had lamps with oil when they went into their waiting--but half of them lacked what it took to be READY TO GO IN with the Bridegroom when He came!
Group 3 all had good for. (truth). but they lacked the power - so therefore they were "EVER LEARNING9' - but received no value from what they learned.

What was their "LACKING"? They lacked a knowledge of the interpretation of Zechariah's dream! And that is a problem even todayl

Zech. 4: 1-3,12
"And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are on the top thereof (of the candlestick):
And I answered again, What be these two olive branches (upon the two olive trees) which tnrough the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?"

So we have:
1. Gold candlestick.

Acts 2:1 "And when the day of Pentecost was full come THEY WERE ALL WITH ONE ACCORD IN ONE PLACE." And what was that place?

Heb. 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves TOGETHER, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another: and SO MUCH THE MORE, as ye see the day approaching."

3T, 432-433 "The Son of God identified Himself with the office and authority of His ORGANIZED CHURCH . . . The Redeemer DOES NOT sanction experience and exercise in religious matters INDEPENDENT OF HIS ORGANIZED AND ACKNOWLEDGED CHURCH Where He HAS A CHURCH. It is CHRIST' S ORGANIZED BODY (CHURCH) UPON THE EARTH, and respect is required to be paid to His ordinances . . . ." (cf. Isa. 4:3,4)

FILB, 282 "GOD HAS A CHURCH UPON THE EARTH, who are His chosen people, who keep His commandments. He is leading NOT STRAY OFFSHOOTS, NOT ONE HERE AND ONE THERE, BUT A PEOPLE.

"There is no need to doubt, to be fearful that the work will not succeed. GOD IS AT THE HEAD OF THE WORK, AND HE WILL SET EVERYTHING IN ORDER. IF MATTERS NEED ADJUSTING AT THE HEAD OF THE WORK, GOD WILL ATTEND TO THAT . . . . Let us have faith that God is going to carry the noble ship which bears the people of God safely into port.

"When you think that the work is in danger, pray, 'Lord stand at the wheel. Carry us through the perplexity. Bring us safely into port.' Have we not reason to believe that the Lord will bring us through truimphantly?. . .

"You cannot with your finite minds understand the working of all the providences of God. LET GOD TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN WORK."

Please see HALF BAPTIZED "D" for more about Church Organization from Testimonies To Ministers And Gospel Workers, pp. 26-29.

2. Bowl on top of the candlestick--We shall return to that later!

3. Seven pipes (from the bowl) to the seven lamps:
Jams 5:7 Representing the OUTPOURING of "the early and latter RAIN"
Acts 2:18 "I will POUR OUT in those days OF MY SPIRIT. . . ."

4. Seven lamps, which are on the top thereof (on top the Candlestick)
a. The candlestick is the "organized Church"--but the Church is made up of LIGHTS - Lights shining from lamps.
b. Lamps are the Word
c. Matt. 5:14 "YE are the light of the world!"
d. The "Outpouring of the Latter Rain" is to ensure that every lamp will give off the SAME LIGHT - meaning; the same reflection of Christ!

5. Two olive Trees (Two annointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth: Verse 14)
a. John 5:46 "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: FOR HE WROTE OF ME." Where did Moses WRITE about Jesus? IN THE OLD TESTAMENT--One of the 2 Olive Trees!
b. John 5:47 "But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?" Where are the direct quotes of Jesus recorded? IN THE NEW TESTAMENT--the other of the 2 Olive Trees! MEANING:
c. 2 Tim. 3:16 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God. . . ." d. Rev. 19:10 "For the testimony of Jesus IS THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY." (Bible and Spirit of Prophecy!)

Now we come to the OIL. And there we find a glitch! For most Bible studying Christians believe that the OIL REPRESENTS THE HOLY SPIRIT, in SOME VAGUE FORM OF WAY!

And--in my studies, I see that the LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THIS VISION--WAS, AND IS, creating heartache, confusion, and division in Christ's body. And that is exactly as Satan would have it, for he well knows that it will cost some eternal life, and nothing suits him better.

The question that must be addressed in this vision is:
What is the need of 2 TREES? 2 GOLDEN PIPES? 2 STREAMS OF OIL? AND 1 "MIXING BOWL" INTO WHICH THE 2 STREAMS FLOW?

On the premise that the Oil does represent the Holy spirit--and be assured that it DOES, lets look for some DEEPER MEANINGS (or maybe "EXPANDED VIEWS" would be more appropriate).

Who is that provides the Holy Spirit--as the pipes are conduits (vehicles to get the oil from it's source to you) for the oil? John 16:7 Jesus speaking; "Nevertheless I. tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU." So the pipes represent JESUS CHRIST!

The oil--the HOLY SPIRIT, BUT, WHY TWO (2) STREAMS?
1. John 16:13 Because He is sent as "the Spirit of truth" and,
2. 2 Cor. 3:18 As the Spirit of change! ("[By] beholding . . . are changed . . . by the Spirit of the Lord.")

One tree--TRUTH--is not enough!
Group 1 were BAPTIZED INTO TRUTH, but never even KNEW there was a Holy Spirit,
Group 2 all had TRUTH (LAMPS)--yet half of them were lost because they lacked the EXTRA OIL,
Group 3 had TRUTH (a FORM OF GODLINESS), but NO POWER. Ever learning TRUTH, but never able to connect it with their lives.

TRUTH ALONE ONLY AGGITATES. AND . . . When truth (also known as NEW IDEAS) is presented to a person--that truth is most often associated with the "familiar." So if someone is speaking of the "Sabbath"--the one being spoken to associates that with the day HE CONSIDERS TO BE THE SABBATH. And so with ALL TRUTHES!

And the world is crying out today for truth. "Morality" - "Honesty" -"Dependability" - all meaning truth! And in religious circles folks are looking for truth also--to explain what is going on in the world. But along with the quest for TRUTH--there is an unspoken quest that can be summed up like this:
"I don't care how much you KNOW, until I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE!"

Don' t TELL me--SHOW me! THAT TAKES TRUTH AND CHANGE!
And Scripture says "we all . . . beholding . . . are changed INTO THE SAME IMAGE!" (2 Cor. 3:18) Beholding what? The Lamb!

John 1:29 "The next day John seeth JESUS coming unto him, and saith, BEHOLD THE LAMB of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

But aren't ALL LAMBS ALIKE? What is so special about "beholding [looking at] the lamb? Two reasons:
1. This Lamb is NOT like every other lamb--it's "THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD." (Rev. 13:8) And TODAY . . .
2. This Lamb is "in the midst of the throne . . . AS IT HAD BEEN SLAIN . . ." (Rev. 5:6).

Question: So where does one "behold the Lamb as it had been slain?"
Answer: Only in the Sanctuary (earthly OR heavenly)!

Question: What is the Lamb doing in the midst of the throne?
Answer: "Thou art worthy . . . for thou wast slain, and HAST REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD . . ." (Rev. 5:9). And so we see that:
"God designs that the MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION shall come to His people AS THE LATTER RAIN." ("Signs of the Times," Apr. 16, 1900).

What is the MESSAGE OF REDEMPTION? It's the PROMISE OF REDEMPTION! "In the SACRIFICIAL SERVICE (IN THE SANCTUARY) Christ was to be uplifted before all nations. The whole SYSTEM OF TYPES AND SYMBOLS (IN THE SANCTUARY) was a compacted prophecy of the Gospel, A PRESENTATION IN WHICH IS BOUND UP THE PROMISE OF REDEMPTION. (Acts ofthe Apostles, pp. 14,15).

MEANING: THE SANCTUARY MESSAGE IS THE LATTER RAIN TO GOD'S PEOPLE!

Now lets let Scriptures show us how it worksl

Rev. 4:6, 7 tell us:
"In the midst of the throne (site #1), and round about the throne (site #2) were four beasts . . . The first was like a lion, . . . the second . . . like a calf (or Ox), . . . the third . . . the face of a man, and the fourth . . . like a flying eagel." 4 Beasts "in the midst of the throne," 4 Beasts "round about the throne"--AND THEY ALL LOOK ALIKE!

Now--Rev. 5:6 says: "And I beheld, and lo; in the MIDST OF THE THRONE . . . . . . STOOD A LAMB AS IT HAD BEEN SLAIN . . . . "
SO- - IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE IS THE LAMB . . . . . . WHO IS JESUS!

And 1 John 3:2 says:
"Beloved, NOW are we the SONS OF GOD, and it doth not appear WHAT WE SHALL BE: but we KNOW THAT, when HE (THE LAMB--JESUS) SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM . . . ."

AND JUST HOW CAN WE ("ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE") BE JUST LIKE HIM ("IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE?")

2 Cor. 3:15 "But we all . . . beholding . . . the glory of the Lord (Lamb--as it had been slain), ARE CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE . . . by the Spirit of the Lord."

And that is exactly what Jesus is waiting for NOW to happen!

James 5:7: "Behold, the husbandman (the Lamb--Christ Jesus) waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth (you and me), and hath long patience for it, until he (you and me) RECEIVE the EARLY AND LATTER RAIN (THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AS AT PENTECOST!)."

Because the FORMULA IN REV. 4:6,7 IS QUITE SIMPLE: ONLY THOSE WHO LOOK LIKE THE LAMB (IN CHARACTER--REPRESENTED BY FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF CREATURES, WHICH APPEAR LIKE "A LAMB AS IT HAD BEEN SLAIN") WILL BE FOUND "ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE" OF THE LAMB IN THE EARTH MADE NEW!
1. 1 Cor. 15:31 Those who have died daily;
2. Gal. 2:20 Who are CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: nevertheless . . . live; . . . not (them), but Christ liveth in (them): and the life which (they) now live in the flesh, (they) live by the faith of the Son of God, who love (them) AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR (THEM)." AND HOW IS THIS ACCOMPLISHED?

Ezk. 43:10,11 "Thou son of man, shew the house (Sanctuary) to the house (children) of Israel THAT THEY MAY BE ASHAMED OF THEIR INIQUITIES: and LET THEM MEASURE THE PATTERN . . . THAT THEY MAY KEEP THE WHOLE FORM THEREOF, AND . . . DO THEM."

For a working model of that fact [TRUTH FROM THE SANCTUARY BEGETS CHANGE TROUGH THE SANCTUARY] let's go to Ex. 12:3-6, where Father is instructed to bring a lamb into the tent for four days, and on the fourth day he is to kill it, place its blood on the door post, and thus ensure that the lives of those in the tent are spared when the destroying angel passes over.

Now, imagine that home situation. Let's add children to the picture! Children and animals bond very quickly (as do some adults also!)! For four days there is fellowship with the little lamb ("Lambkin," meaning "my little pet lamb"), there is care for the lamb, protection for the lamb, and love to, and from, the lamb! But four days later Father has to first separate the lamb from those who had loved and cared for it, then he has to hurt it by binding it up, and finally he kills that "little pet lamb!"

And so it is today! You brought the Lamb into your tent (your heart)! Why? Most likely because you fell in love with Him. You desired to have His fellowship all the time. and you never meant for Him to leave your tent.

But one day there is a knock on your tent (heart) door. It's Satan, and he is beckoning you to come and enter into his activity. When you stall--and try to explain to him that you have invited the Lamb into your tent (heart) now--he is ready with a LOGICAL SOLUTION. "Come with me, enjoy yourself, indulging in whatever it is that I have invited you to do, to eat, or to go, THEN, you come home, apologize for your evil, KILL YOUR PET LAMB, and go out to the pen and get another." For, according to Satan, THIS LAMB IS NO DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE REST IN THE HERD! That's exactly what happens when we come to a knowledge of truth, and then decide to go back into sin--(Heb. 6:6 "Seeing they crucify TO THEMSELVES the Son of God AFRESH, and put him to an open shame.") And it is NOT UNTIL we fully understand what sin costs THE LITTLE PET LAMB that sins will be eradicated from our lives!

But, what's the connection between the "Sanctuary Message" and the "Holy Spirit," and the "Outpouring of the Latter Rain," the "Lamb as it was slain?"

1.  Acts 2:18     "I will POUR OUT in those days of my Spirit. . . . "

2.  John 16:14  "He shall receive of mine (Me), and shall shew it unto you."

3.  John 16:8    "And when he is come

4.  John 14:26  "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost . . . HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS." Eliminating these experiences of the three groups we began with -- which are US!

 
Group No. 1 "HALF BAPTIZED" 6 Bible Commentary 1075
"The new birth is a rare experience IN THIS AGE OF THE WORLD. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, SO MANY, WHO ASSUME THE NAME OF CHRIST (CHRISTIANS), are unsanctified and unhoIy. THEY HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED, BUT THEY WERE BURIED ALIVE. SELF DID NOT DIE, and therefore they did not rise to the newness of life in Christ." (Because the Lamb appeared "AS IT HAD BEEN SLAIN" Rev. 5:6).

Group No. 2 "HALF LOST" In Heavenly Places, 162
"Why are there SO MANY . . . WHO ARE SPIRITUAL FAILURES, who have unsymetrical characters? It is BECAUSE THEY DID NOT, WHEN THEY KNEW THE TRUTH, AND DO NOT NOW BEGIN TO PRACTICE THE TRUTH as it is in Jesus.
There are MANY WHO TESTIFY DAILY, I AM NOT CHANGED IN CHARACTER, ONLY IN THEORY."

Group No. 3 "HALF READY" In Heavenly Places, 49
"There are SOME VHO ARE SEEKING, ALWAYS SEEKING . . . But THEY DO NOT MAKE AN ENTIRE SURRENDER OF THEIR WRONG HABITS . . . . They never know what it is to have peace and harmony in the soul; for without entire self-surrender there is no rest, no joy. ALMOST CHRISTIANS, YET NOT FULL CHRISTIANS, THEY SEEM NEAR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, BUT THEY CANNOT ENTER THERE. Almost, but not Wholly Saved means to be NOT ALMOST, BUT WHOLLY LOST."

That makes the "Sanctuary Message" MORE THAN ANOTHER DOCTRINE!

Manuscript Release, #760
"The Sanctuary question IS the FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH . . . The correct understanding of the ministration in the sanctuary IS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR FAITH."

Spalding and Megan's UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT TESTIMONIES, p. 4 "Then I saw those . . . that have formerly since 1844 broken the comndments, and have (kept) the first day instead of the seventh, . . . and . . . have since . . . changed their course, . . . and are keeping God's Sabbath, WOULD HAVE TO GO DOWN INTO THE WATER. AND BE BAPTIZED IN THE FAITH OF THE SANCTUARY, and [be) keeping the comandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

I saw those who have been baptized AS A DOOR INTO THE CHURCHES, would have to BE BAPTIZED AGAIN as a door into THE FAITH (THE FAITH OF THE SANCTUARY) . . . ."

Ye Shall Receive Power, 291 (MS Release, Vol. 2, p. 333) "Apostasy caused the WITHDRAWAL of the Holy Spirit from man, BUT THROUGH THE PLAN, OR PROMISE, OF REDEMPTION (AA, 14,15 - which is the Sanctuary Message) THIS BLESSING OF HEAVEN IS TO BE RESTORED to those who sincerely desire it."

Those who "sincerely desire it . . . the Holy Spirit" will follow God's formula for receiving it: "Through the Plan of Redemption"--which is The Sanctuary Message.

Rev. 10:10--Following the "Great Disappointment of 1844"--when the "Little Book" of Daniel became "in my belly . . . bitter"--God gives a command:
Rev. 10: 11 "Thou MUST prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

What was "sweet in your mouth--then bitter in your belly" is an experience that is bound up in the promise of redemption--AND THAT MUST BE PREACHED (PROPHESIED) WORLD WIDE!

And exactly what does that message entail?

Rev. 11:1 "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood saying, RISE, AND MEASURE THE TEMPLE OF GOD . . ." THAT'S THE MESSAGE THAT IS TO GO TO THE WORLD--THE SANCTUARY MESSAGE!

The Sanctuary Message is the outpouring of the Spirit of God in the Latter Rain because it is able to blend Truth and Change as no other message can. And because of the uniqueness of this message it causes one to do some serious reflecting of themselves--OR--it brings rejection of the message, and thus negating the need of reflection. That is the reason for Jesus' comment in Matt. 7:13, 14:
"Enter YE in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: BECAUSE strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT."

And Just what IS this "strait gate" and "narrow way, which leadeth unto life?"
It is the Front Gate to the Court of the Sanctuary!

OUR HIGH CALLING, 105--"Oh, how much more safe it is to agonize to enter Into the strait gate! It is only at the ALTAR OF GOD that human beings can receive the celestial torch."

COUNSELS ON STEWARDSHIP, 30--"The Altar of SELF-SACRIFICE" (cf. Rom. 12:1--where we present our bodies "a living sacrifice").

So the gate that leads to the Altar of God is straight--and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life--is calling for a FULL SURRENDER to Jesus--and that is why it says, "AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT."

The Sanctuary Message calls for Change based on Truth. The Truth tells--my sins are crucifying afresh to myself the Son of God (Heb.6:6)--and God's plan is--that based upon that Truth--my life will Change--where, instead of crucifying Christ - I DIE WITH HIM (Gal. 2:20)!

I am beholding (2 Cor. 3:18) "the Lamb As IT HAD BEEN SLAIN (Rev. 5:6) and I end up looking JUST LIKE THE LAMB--"SLAIN"--Rev. 4:6; 1 John 3:2)!
I die to self--I submit to Jesus--NOW He is able to "trust" me with His Spirit!
Acts 5:32--".Also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given them that obey him."

But too many in the world today want to LIVE ON BROADWAY--but have their ADDRESS ON THE NARROW WAY!

Isa. 4:1--"And in that day seven women (Church members of all ages) shall take hold of one man (Christ, the Head of the Church), saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel (we'll DO OUR THING ON BROADWAY), only LET US BE CALLED BY THY NAME (LET US GIVE ADDRESS AS BEING ON THE NARROW WAY) to take away our reproach."

In Heavenly Places, 162,
"The renovating, transforming work MUST BEGIN IN THE HEART, out of which flow the issues of life. Oh, how then can lip service be regarded as sufficient? I entreat you, for Christ's sake, DO NOT STOP AT ANY HALFWAY PLACE, but press on, press on. Advance to the perfection of Christian attainments. Leave nothing insecure . . . Remember that you are responsible NOT to misrepresent Christ in character."

And the reflection of His character in each of His children is what Christ is waiting for today. And when He comes "WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM." "In the MIDST OF THE THRONE, and ROUND ABOUT THE THRONE"--THEY ALL WILL LOOK ALIKE!
But REMEMEER--the CHANGE TOOK PLACE HERE ON EARTH--WHILE JUST THE FINISHING TOUCHES WERE ADDED IN HEAVEN!

Education, 18--"Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God's ideal for His children. GODLINESs--GODLlKENESS--IS THE GOAL TO BE REACHED. He (you and I) will advance as FAST AND AS FAR as possible in every branch of true knowledge."

And God is concerned about the speed with which Change takes place, as we hear what be had to say to a brother and sister in days gone by. It is recorded in Testimonies To The Church, 342:
"Brother and Sister F: . . .I was shown that your feet had indeed taken hold on perdition, but God did not wholly forsake either of you . . . . Neither of you is deficient in natural reason and judgment; BUT you have followed INCLINATION rather than THE PATH OF DUTY, and have failed to repress the wrong traits of character and to strengthen weak moral power. [NOW NOTE THESE NEXT WORDS!]

"WHAT TIME HAVE YOU SET TO GAIN THE VICTORY OVER YOUR PERVERSE WILL AND THE DEFECTS IN YOUR CHARACTER? [And to add to it's URGENCY--this counseI was given] With the advancement you now make, YOUR PROBATION MAY CLOSE BEFORE YOU HAVE MADE THE DETERMIINED EFFORTS ESSENTIAL TO GIVE YOU THE VICTORY OVER SELF. HALFWAY WORK with you will not ADVANCE YOU ONE STEP TOWARD HEAVEN, , , , Many decide to serve themselves and Satan by NOT MAKING DETERMINED EFFORTS TO OVERCOME THEIR DEFECTS OF CHARACTER . . . EXPECTING TO BE OVERCOMERS SOMETIME, they are deciding for perdition."

5T, 520 --"The sacred work of Christ for the people of God that is going on at the present time in the heavenly sanctuary should be our CONSTANT study."

RH, Apr. 25,1899--"We cannot receive the Holy Spirit UNTIL we break every yoke that binds us to our objectionable traits of character. These are the great hindrances to wearing Christ's yoke and learning of Him. There is no one who has not much to learn. All must be trained by Christ. (And givng up the life to Christ means much more than many suppose."

6T, 43--"Transformation of character is to be the TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD of the indwelling love of Christ." (TRANSFORMATION = CHANGE; TESTIMONY = TRUTH; MEANING: The truth we present to the world of the love of Christ should be demonstrated in a changed life!)