If I decide to obtain higher education in Germany, it won't be enough to simply choose an educational institution and enroll. There are specific rules regulating the admission process.
I have two secondary vocational educations, but this is not enough to enter any university. I would need to additionally complete a couple of gymnasium or technical school classes, and only then would my documents be considered.
If I decide to become a pastor or preacher in this country, despite my church membership tenure, I would not be appointed to this service or entrusted with a pulpit. Only those who have graduated from a German seminary, having studied or retrained there for at least two years, receive this right.
I understand that such measures are necessary to preserve the church's doctrine in purity. And it is quite difficult to circumvent these rules. But education does not guarantee a minister's dedication. And if someone sees this only as a good job, I feel sorry for them.
The Lord sent a special message to His end-time church, which can be found in Revelation 3:14-22. The message to Laodicea is quite consistent, and it cannot be accepted from the middle or the end. Each subsequent verse flows from the previous one. I cannot receive the blessing of verse 21 if I have not received the blessing of verse 18. No one will come to my door and knock and call if I have skipped all the previous counsels and rebukes.
In the message to Laodicea, a detailed plan for the victor is laid out. My friends and I have been studying this message thoroughly for over 7 years and understand that its depth has not yet been fully revealed to us. We have realized that this message consistently describes a program for preparing a special group of people who, by all their character qualities, are suitable for the mysterious number 144,000.
Although the Agape Love School lessons have already sufficiently revealed the meaning of all the symbols in this message, this is still not enough to be a victor. Fire awaits us ahead, through which we still have to pass. We are partially already experiencing various trials that prepare us for the main exam. And such a time will come someday.
My heart burns with a desire to share the importance of the meaning of this message, and I have to constantly repeat the same things to many people to somehow interest them in the matter of preparation.
Previously, I waited for the Latter Rain to be poured out, which would somehow miraculously prepare me for sealing. And the only thing I wanted was to receive baptism with the Holy Spirit. This is a very important event, but God has a preparation plan for it that I cannot bypass or jump over.
If a groom offers his bride an engagement and to spend some time in close relationships before the wedding to get to know each other better, and the bride simply ignores him, deciding to meet only at the wedding itself, what should the groom do? Most likely, he will lose interest in the one who is not interested in him.
If I do not understand the importance of the victor's plan, the Lord will do everything possible to present and explain it to me. But if I am not interested in what He advises me to do and accept, this very much reminds me of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Studying the message to Laodicea, one involuntarily comes to the conclusion that this message must cause sifting among God's people. I do not want to engage in this and divide the church into the chosen and the lost. But the Bible teaches that this will happen regardless of me. God and His Spirit cannot be eternally disregarded.
Looking at what is happening in the world, I understand that God is also doing something and expecting something from His people, offering us a way out of the lukewarm state. Many Biblical truths are good in themselves, but now it is important to understand the truth for the present time, about what I need to do at this time. I want to understand the difference between the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-12.
I am interested in everything that will help me better understand God's plan for me at this time because I do not want to lose salvation through my ignorance. And the Lord reveals to those who seek and pray everything they need to know.
In the book "Early Writings" by Ellen White, there is a chapter "Sifting" that I strongly recommend everyone read. 170 years ago, the Lord predicted through this messenger what we should pay attention to and what will cause sifting. I will quote from this chapter:
"I asked about the meaning of the sifting I saw, and it was shown to me that this action would be caused by a credible testimony, inspired by the counsel that the Faithful and True Witness gave to the Laodicean church. It will touch the hearts of those who accept it and encourage them to raise the banner of truth high and proclaim it firmly. Not all will proclaim this credible testimony. Some will rise against it, and this will precisely be the cause of sifting among God's people.
I saw that the testimony of the true Witness is not given even half the significance it deserves. The sacred testimony on which the fate of the Church depends is not valued as it should be and is sometimes even completely neglected. This testimony should cause deep repentance; all who truly accept it will submit to it and be purified." – {EW 270.3}
Previously, I read this book many times and did not see what I shared here. But studying the message to Laodicea, I came to the same conclusion independently, and then read about it.
And I have questions for you, friend: "Do you understand the importance of the Message to Laodicea for you? Do you believe that this message is addressed to you? Do you have a desire to study, understand, and accept everything that the Faithful and True Witness offers?" Answer these for yourself and follow your answer.
Even now, reading this message cursorily, although I understand the meaning of what is written, it is still covered with a mystery that I am trying to comprehend. And this is after seven years of study and reflection! What will those who open it for the first time understand? But there is good news: Seek and you will find, ask and it will be given to you. God is more interested in our salvation than we are and is the first to seek out each one. He will not leave anyone who chooses Him and tries with all their might to understand what is hidden in mystery.
The message to Laodicea contains a message about accepting God's agape love as gold refined by fire. And keeping the commandment to love one another is also God's plan for the last time. We have such simple words from the Heavenly merchant, and what deep meaning they are full of!
Agape love is not some product being imposed on me, but an Eternal blessing, a happy spirit, joy at all times, friendliness, and constant delight from God's presence in my heart. It means many friends whom you love. It means happiness from morning to evening. It means endless gratitude to God that He is now yours forever and for what He gives you eternally.
Reflection Questions for this Chapter
1. Please read Ephesians 5:15-18; Revelation 3:14-22; Matthew 25:1-12; Luke 11:9-10; Daniel 12:10; Isaiah 60:1-3; Romans 12:1-3; Philippians 1:6; Amos 3:7 in light of this chapter.
2. What did you understand from this chapter?
3. What other Bible verses came to your mind?
4. Do you understand the importance of the message to Laodicea, and what is it about?
5. If God offers me personal relationships, is it worth accepting and understanding what is expected of me and how to develop them?
6. Do you have friends with whom you could begin studying the message to Laodicea?
7. What do you think will happen to those who never pay attention to the message of the Faithful Witness?
8. If the message to Laodicea is not clear to me, is it worth studying? If yes, then for what purpose?
9. What victors are being discussed in this message? What or whom should they defeat?
10. Why is this message unpopular even among God's people?
11. What does Jesus offer us in this message?
12. What blessings will those receive who follow Jesus' counsel and buy what the Lord offers?
13. Why does the Lord sell and not give away His goods?
14. When will the sifting of God's people begin?
15. How can I love this message if I have no interest in it and do not understand it?