What is the order of events prior to the return of Jesus?

[Lineman]

Found it:

Quote:

2. THE NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW

The national Sunday law is one of the five landmark events of the last days. They are as follows:

(1) The beginning of the investigative judgment in 1844, as Jesus and the Father pass from the first to second apartment of the heavenly Sanctuary to begin the final atonement.

(2) The national Sunday law, which marks the setting up of

the image to the beast, and the start of several other events which we will soon discuss, which include the marking

and sealing, the passing of the investigative judgment to the cases of the living, the blotting out experience, the

marriage, the latter rain, and loud cry.

(3) The general close of probation, when the four winds are loosed and the

plagues begin to fall.

(4) The sounding of the Voice of God, which delivers God’s people from the oppressive

power of the world.

(5) The second advent of Jesus Christ, at which time His faithful ones are taken to heaven, the

wicked are slain, and Satan is bound to this planet for a thousand years.

The national Sunday law is especially important, for it jump-starts so many crucial final events.

It was on page 12 of the e-book End Time Series toward the bottom.

[John317]

Thank you, Lineman. I hadn't seen that part of the book when you first quoted it, but I was sure it was not a direct quote from Ellen White. It is obviously a summary statement, and it seems to me accurate. Are you OK with that summary in that context?

[Lineman]

From an EGW quote, "I saw the Father rise from the throne"

This kind of comment made me think of His throne as being a "chair" I guess.

[John317]

Yes, I can see why someone could get that impression. But of course there are many statements in both the SOP and the Bible about the river of life flowing from the throne of God. Rev. 22:1. Mighty big and strange chair-- LOL.

Interesting to note, too,-- which causes "Jehovah's Witnesses" some problems-- that Jesus and the Father occupy the same throne.

[BobRyan]

According to Ellen White -- what happened on Oct 22, 1844?

in Christ,

Bob

[Lineman]

EGW says that Revelation 10:9, 10 refers to that date.

9And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey.

10And 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.

[Lineman]

Thank you, Lineman. I hadn't seen that part of the book when you first quoted it, but I was sure it was not a direct quote from Ellen White. It is obviously a summary statement, and it seems to me accurate. Are you OK with that summary in that context?

I think so, just not exactly what I am looking for, though it is very simular to this list below. So far I think I like what I posted a few days ago, just not sure it is totally correct yet. This is basically just the first 15 events taken from the Table of Contents. The only one I think I would change is #2 as noted below. The timelines site is designed to avoid as much controversy as possible so as to spread the word farther.

What are your thoughts on this list?

-------------------------------------

1 - The Counterfeit Revival and The Threefold Union

2 - The National Sunday Law (God's law forced out by a man made law) or (A man made law put in place of one of God's laws)

3 - The False Latter Rain

4 - The Shaking and Sifting

5 - The Seal and the Mark

6 - Perfection of Character

7 - The Judgment Passes to the Living and The Blotting Out of Sin

8 - The Marriage in the Most Holy Place

9 - The Latter Rain

10 - The Loud Cry

11 - The Little Time of Trouble

12 - The Close of Probation

13 - The Great Time of Trouble

14 - The Voice of God

15 - The Second Coming of Christ

[John317]

According to Ellen White -- what happened on Oct 22, 1844?

in Christ,

Bob

The book of Daniel places the beginning of the antitypical day of atonement at the end of the 2300 days/years, in 1844. This is the second phase of Christ's ministry, the end result of Christ's work of vindication, judgment, a cleansing of the universe from sin, sinners, and Satan. God in Christ assumes responsibility for the sins of His people. Every confessed sin found in the heavenly records is credited to God's Son.

But that process must come to an end or the sin problem will never be completely solved. At some point the records must be closed. This involves a work of investigation and judgment, which results in the vindication of God's people.

The names of false believers are removed from the book of life. The justification of true believers is reaffirmed, their names are preserved in the heavenly book of life, and their sins are blotted out from the records. God is vindicated by showing to the universe that His judicial decisionsare just, that sin and holiness have nothing in common, and that God is a merciful, loving, and righteous Lord.

This revelation of God's holiness, power, and grace is possible only through the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who completes the defeat of the dragon to its consummation by blotting him out of God's universe.

Along with the events going on in heaven connected with the cleansing of the sanctuary, there is a special putting away of sin among God's people, in preparation for the receiving of the Latter Rain and the proclamation of the Three Angels Messages. This is done in order to warn the peoples of the earth of the coming judgments and to help prepare the people for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth for His church.

On the next post, please find some central quotes from Ellen White's pen on the topic.

[John317]

1) Christ had come, not to the earth, as they expected, but, as foreshadowed in the type, to the most holy place of the temple of God in heaven.He is represented by the prophet Daniel as coming at this time to the Ancient of Days: "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came"--not to the earth, but--"to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him." Daniel 7:13.

2) While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14. When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing.

3) In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," was given. The two classes represented by the wise and foolish virgins were then developed--one class who looked with joy to the Lord's appearing, and who had been diligently preparing to meet Him; another class that, influenced by fear and acting from impulse, had been satisfied with a theory of the truth, but were destitute of the grace of God. In the parable, when the bridegroom came, "they that were ready went in with him to the marriage." The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage. The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lamb's wife."

5) In the parable of Matthew 22 the same figure of the marriage is introduced, and the investigative judgment is clearly represented as taking place before the marriage. Previous to the wedding the king comes in to see the guests, to see if all are attired in the wedding garment, the spotless robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Matthew 22:11; Revelation 7:14. He who is found wanting is cast out, but all who upon examination are seen to have the wedding garment on are accepted of God and accounted worthy of a share in His kingdom and a seat upon His throne. This work of examination of character, of determining who are prepared for the kingdom of God, is that of the investigative judgment, the closing of work in the sanctuary above.

When the work of investigation shall be ended, when the cases of those who in all ages have professed to be followers of Christ have been examined and decided, then, and not till then, probation will close, and the door of mercy will be shut. Thus in the one short sentence, "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut," we are carried down through the Saviour's final ministration, to the time when the great work for man's salvation shall be completed.

6 So when Christ entered the holy of holies to perform the closing work of the atonement, He ceased His ministration in the first apartment. But when the ministration in the first apartment ended, the ministration in the second apartment began. When in the typical service the high priest left the holy on the Day of Atonement, he went in before God to present the blood of the sin offering in behalf of all Israel who truly repented of their sins. So Christ had only completed one part of His work as our intercessor, to enter upon another portion of the work, and He still pleaded His blood before the Father in behalf of sinners.

It is those who by faith follow Jesus in the great work of the atonement who receive the benefits of His mediation in their behalf, while those who reject the light which brings to view this work of ministration are not benefited thereby.

7. Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.

When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years." Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive to Himself will be a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Ephesians 5:27. Then she will look "forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." Song of Solomon 6:10.

[Lineman]

Would someone care to comment on this list? It has been modified somewhat from what I posted yesterday, but I am wondering where the world wide Sunday laws would come in? I am assuming that they will begin in various countries at different times throughout this list.

Should I place National Ruin on the timeline as well? Who would it help and where should it go?

For the most part I am wanting to list only things that can be seen easily by most people, but I know that I need events like the Close of Probation and the Seals/Marks. Am I missing something here?

Your thoughts? (John317, I would especially appreciate your thoughts, but want to hear from everyone else too.)

--------------

End Time Events:

1. The Counterfeit Revival and The Threefold Union (Which comes first or do they happen at the same time?)

2. Local Sunday laws

3. National Sunday Law (National Apostasy)

4. The False Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the “Counterfeit Revival”?)

5. The Seal and the Mark (Isn’t this the same as the close of probation?)

6. The Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the Loud Cry?)

7. The Loud Cry

8. The Little Time of Trouble

9. The Close of Probation

10. The Great Time of Trouble

11. The Voice of God

12. The Second Coming of Christ

[skyblue888]

Lineman wrote: Would someone care to comment on this list?

End Time Events:

1. The Counterfeit Revival and The Threefold Union (Which comes first or do they happen at the same time?)

2. Local Sunday laws

3. National Sunday Law (National Apostasy)

4. The False Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the “Counterfeit Revival”?)

5. The Seal and the Mark (Isn’t this the same as the close of probation?)

6. The Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the Loud Cry?)

7. The Loud Cry

8. The Little Time of Trouble

9. The Close of Probation

10. The Great Time of Trouble

11. The Voice of God

12. The Second Coming of Christ

_________________________

Try this:

1. Former rain followed by latter rain

2. Church sealing her final rejection of God's mercy by rejecting latter rain message for the second time. (the first rejection took place in 1888 as we all know)

3. National Sunday Law

4. Bearers of the latter rain message to the church forced out of the church through a great persecution (character assassination)

5. Bearers of the latter rain message take their God-given message to the world and it swells to a loud cry. During that time the bearers of the latter rain message and their converts "grow up into Christ and partake largely of His Spirit." 1 T 353. This is part of the first seal which is a daily settling into the truth both intellectually and spiritually so they cannot be moved at the time of hte great final test. "Latter rain revives and strengthens the faithful people of God to pass through the time of trouble. Their faces shine with the glory of that light which attends the third message." Ibid, 353.

6. Buy and sell decree.

7. Death decree.

8. The mission of the Gospel is completed.

9. Judgment of the living takes places after the loud cry as shown in the parable of the wedding garment--Matt.22--the people of God receive their final seal as they pass the death decree, the great final test. See Christ's Object Lessons, p.122,123.

10. Probation closes

11. The time of Jacob's trouble for the people of God begins.

12. The great time of trouble for the wicked (the seven last plagues)

13. At the time of the fifth plague the people of God are delivered by the voice of God.

14. The sixth plague is the drying up of the river Euphrates, that is, "the swords which were to slay God's people are now employed to destroy their enemies. Everywhere there is strife and bloodshed." The Great Controversy, p.656.

15. The great earthquake and the hail.

16. The special resurrection and translation of the living.

17. The saints meet Jesus in the air as He appears in the clouds of Heaven.

[Lineman]

Hi Sky,

Thanks for taking the time to send me your thoughts.

Note on #1: Are you saying above that you believe that the "former" rain fell in 1888?

Note on #2: It sounds like you are saying that the SDA church will reject the later rain of the Holy Spirit. What "church" are you talking about? All but the SDA church?

Note on #4: Where do you get this from?

(That's just a start.)

Blessings,

d

[John317]

Try this:

1. Former rain followed by latter rain

2. Church sealing her final rejection of God's mercy by rejecting latter rain message for the second time. (the first rejection took place in 1888 as we all know)

3. National Sunday Law

4. Bearers of the latter rain message to the church forced out of the church through a great persecution (character assassination)

Hi sky,

I think I have the same questions as Lineman here.

I was OK with pretty much your whole list of events, but I don't know about the parts #2 and #4. Could you explain those and maybe give Ellen White quotes?

What do you mean by "the church"?

[John317]

Would someone care to comment on this list? It has been modified somewhat from what I posted yesterday, but I am wondering where the world wide Sunday laws would come in? I am assuming that they will begin in various countries at different times throughout this list.

Should I place National Ruin on the timeline as well? Who would it help and where should it go?

For the most part I am wanting to list only things that can be seen easily by most people, but I know that I need events like the Close of Probation and the Seals/Marks. Am I missing something here?

Your thoughts? (John317, I would especially appreciate your thoughts, but want to hear from everyone else too.)

--------------

End Time Events:

1. The Counterfeit Revival and The Threefold Union (Which comes first or do they happen at the same time?)

2. Local Sunday laws

3. National Sunday Law (National Apostasy) (N. Apostasy begins before Sunday laws, Evangelism, p. 235.)

4. The False Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the “Counterfeit Revival”?) (Same time)

5. The Seal and the Mark (Isn’t this the same as the close of probation?) (No, not same.)

6. The Latter Rain (Isn’t this the same as the Loud Cry?) (No, not the same)

6B. Universal Sunday Law-- At this time the Destructive Judgments Begin ; Also National Ruin quickly follows. Financial ruin occurs before cry for Sunday laws.

7. The Loud Cry

8. The Little Time of Trouble

9. The Close of Probation

10. The Great Time of Trouble

11. The Voice of God

12. The Second Coming of Christ

[skyblue888]

Lineman and john317, I invite you both to read That Which Has Been Will Be at www.hidden-treasures.ca

This book, I believe, will answer all your questions.

sky

[skyblue888]

Mrs. White clearly says that National ruin comes after the passing of the National Sunday Law. This is when the law of God is made void in the land and when the sins of Babylon will have reached unto heaven.

sky

[John317]

See GC 627. This is speaking of the United States after the universal Sunday law.

First comes the image to the papacy, enforced by the combined authority of church and state, then national apostasy, followed rapidly by national ruin. LDE 134.

[John317]

Reading that book now. Excellent. There are parts of it which I will need more time to study and pray over.

Last Day Events (1992), page 143, paragraph 2

Chapter Title: The Little Time of Trouble

This view was given in 1847 when there were but very few of the Advent brethren observing the Sabbath, and of these but few supposed that its observance was of sufficient importance to draw a line between the people of God and unbelievers. Now the fulfillment of that view is beginning to be seen. "The commencement of that time of trouble," here mentioned, does not refer to the time when the plagues shall begin to be poured out, but to a short period just before they are poured out, while Christ is in the sanctuary. At that time, while the work of salvation is closing, trouble will be coming on the earth, and the nations will be angry, yet held in check so as not to prevent the work of the third angel.--EW 85, 86 (1854).

--

These are some key paragraphs of the book you referred me to:

26

Here is the message in a nutshell:

“The people needed to have their eyes

directed to Jesus, to His divine

Person, TO HIS MERITS and His

changeless love for the human

family.” Ibid, p.92.

In other words, the people were

invited to lay right hold upon the

merits of the blood of a crucified

and risen Saviour to bring His

righteousness into the life. See

Faith and Works, bottom of page

65,66.

The people were told that it was

their privilege to claim the merits

of Christ in order to receive His

righteousness which is made manifest

in obedience to all the commandments

of God! See Testimonies to Ministers,

p.93.

And here is the reason: “The merits

of Christ’s sacrifice are SUFFICIENT

to present to the Father in our

behalf,” for “He was treated as we

deserve that we might be treated as

He deserves.” Steps to Christ, p.36;

Desire of Ages, p.25.

---The light that is

to lighten the whole earth with its

glory was resisted and by the action

of our own brethren has been in a

great degree kept away from the

world.” Selected Messages, Vol. 1,

p.234, 235.

“Faith can lay hold of the merits of

Christ, the remedy provided for sin.”

Ibid, 100,101.

“None who trust in the merits of

Christ will be left to perish.”

P.P.432. Why? Because those who daily

appropriate His all-sufficient merits

to themselves receive the gift of His

righteousness which is made manifest

in obedience to all the commandments

of God! Testimonies to Ministers,

p.92.

[BobRyan]

Just curious - there were a number of Sunday laws passed in the first half of the 1900's (I think that is when new ones went into effect).

Is it possible that all the "U.S will pass sunday laws" has already happened over 50 years ago?

in Christ,

Bob

[skyblue888]

In fact, if I am correct, the image of the beast was made in 1892 as Congress passed a National Sunday Law to close the Chicago fair on Sundays. Mrs. White sent a telegram from Australia saying that the image of the beast was made. But the whole process was stopped because the latter rain message was resisted. A.T. Jones defeated that law in Congress.

Know anything about that?

ps. the sundaly laws you are referring to were mere sunday blue laws, nothing to do with a National Sunday Law to enforce Sunday worship. If I am wrong, I stand to be corrected.

[Woody]

Does all this help me to know what to do with my 401K ?

[skyblue888]

Thanks John for taking the time to read this book. You are wise in taking more time to study certain aspects of that parable because it certainly demands our close attention since Jesus was looking down the ages with His eyes fixed upon our church when He spoke that parable.

Make sure you take a good look at C.O.L.218. What is said there about "added probation" for the Jews certainly applies to us as a people.

sky

[skyblue888]

John317, you wrote:

See GC 627. This is speaking of the United States after the universal Sunday law.

First comes the image to the papacy, enforced by the combined authority of church and state, then national apostasy, followed rapidly by national ruin. LDE 134.

*****************************************************

The enactment of the National Sunday Law is in itself "national apostasy" followed by "national ruin."

right?

sky

[John317]

In fact, if I am correct, the image of the beast was made in 1892 as Congress passed a National Sunday Law to close the Chicago fair on Sundays. Mrs. White sent a telegram from Australia saying that the image of the beast was made. But the whole process was stopped because the latter rain message was resisted. A.T. Jones defeated that law in Congress.

Know anything about that?

ps. the sundaly laws you are referring to were mere sunday blue laws, nothing to do with a National Sunday Law to enforce Sunday worship. If I am wrong, I stand to be corrected.

I'll look more into this.

Quote:

The last major confrontation of the nineteenth century took place over whether Chicago's 1893 World's Columbian Exposition would open on Sundays. In 1892, Congress debated and voted to tie Sunday closing to the fair's financing. The closing issue was later contested in the Illinois courts, and the fair ultimately opened on Sundays for part of its run.

Source: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-1906178_ITM

[BobRyan]

In fact, if I am correct, the image of the beast was made in 1892 as Congress passed a National Sunday Law to close the Chicago fair on Sundays. Mrs. White sent a telegram from Australia saying that the image of the beast was made. But the whole process was stopped because the latter rain message was resisted. A.T. Jones defeated that law in Congress.

Know anything about that?

ps. the sundaly laws you are referring to were mere sunday blue laws, nothing to do with a National Sunday Law to enforce Sunday worship. If I am wrong, I stand to be corrected.

There are three distinct things to track here -

1. State-level Sunday laws (no-work laws)that do not enforce worship - just mandate that businesses close.

Historically in the 40's or 50's I think some laws were going into place -- some SDAs were challenging them by working on Sunday and I think some people went to jail. Does anyone have the specifics?

2. National level Sunday laws - federal laws that mandate that businesses close but do not forbid church services on Saturday nor do they mandate church attendance on Sunday NOR do they claim Sunday is holy or a worship day.

3. National Day of Reverence for Sunday - where individuals must sign up in agreement to honor the National Day of Reverence.

I think some form of #1 is in almost every state - I just don't know the dates when 90% or more states finally had them.

#2 and #3 we have not gotten.

There is probably also a 4th one -- where the World itself adopts the same idea of "National Day of Reverence".

in Christ,

Bob