To hear the entire Sabbath service from Saturday 08/02/2014 click on the link below:
This service (broadcast from Ceres/Modesto) runs approx. 95 minutes and downloads to a file approx. 73MB in size.
Jeromy Plagenza gave the sermonette: “A Proper Fear” (This sermonette begins at approx. 8:09 into the audio file)
Gracie Plagenza performed Special Music: “I Will Rise” (Special Music begins at approx. 30:56 into the audio file)
Modesto Elder Mr. Wayne Carlson gave the sermon: “Road Hazards on ‘The Way’ ” (This sermon begins at approx. 35:48 into the audio file)
On September 25th those who understand God’s plan for the salvation of mankind will be celebrating the Feast of Trumpets. It is called the Feast of Trumpets because in the Bible the blowing of the Trumpet is a sound that signals the occurrence of a major event. This major event pictured by the Feast of Trumpets points to the greatest event that will have ever occurred in history. It signals the return of Jesus Christ, which follows the period of tribulation: the unrestrained venting of Satan’s wrath on this world.
Matthew 24:21: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. KJV
Matthew 24:29-30: 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. KJV
The return of Jesus Christ has a number of ramifications, the two most spectacular being: the resurrection of God’s saints in the First Resurrection, and the destruction of Satan’s government over the earth.
As stated, before Christ’s return on the “Day of the Lord” as it is called in the Bible, the world will experience the greatest full-on expression of Satan’s rage ever turned loose on this earth. It is a time so terrible and chaotic, it will bring this world very close to total destruction. If Christ does not return at this moment in time, the Bible tells us all mankind would perish:
Matthew 24:21-22: 21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be, 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. KJV
The warfare at the time of Christ’s return is different from the crazed and chaotic viciousness that accompanies Satan’s time of wrath. Satan’s wild thrashings and ragings will erupt in an attempt to destroy mankind. In his demonic, deluded reasoning he will believe he can prevent Christ from overthrowing him in order to establish God’s Kingdom on earth—even if it requires destroying the entire earth to prevent it. We are beginning to see the horrid events that precede this all-out loosening of the bands that hold Satan’s wrath in restraint as we view the troubles erupting in the Middle East now. In direct contrast to this maniacal chaos, the warfare Christ utilizes will be aimed directly at those who perpetuate evil. Upon his immediate return, he will destroy those who are given over to warfare as rebellious instruments of Satan. Christ will aim to bring peace to this earth by first turning the hearts of mankind from evil and ridding the earth of violent men who oppose him.
After Christ puts Satan and his followers down, the world will be in an unrecognizable state. The destruction resulting from Satan’s wrath will be global, leaving the earth in a state of chaos and confusion reminiscent of what we found in the opening statements of the Bible:
Genesis 1:2: 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep…… KJV
The world’s population will be greatly diminished, but those who remain will be blessed to experience the rejuvenation of the earth that occurs under Christ’s government.
Isaiah 13:12: 12 I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. KJV
Matthew 24:29-30: 29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. KJV
Knowing that the Bible clearly prophesies all of these things are to come, it is fair to ask the question, “Does God warn the people of the earth of the suffering that lies ahead?” The answer to that is, of course He does. He has already warned the earth, especially in this end time, through the work done powerfully by this church as it was under Mr. Armstrong; and He continues to warn via the ongoing efforts of those who accept the instruction to continue that work until Christ returns:
Matthew 24:44-46: 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. KJV
It is also clear from scripture that even during the tribulation, God will send two servants whom he has especially commissioned to warn the earth of what is to come if they do not turn from their evil ways. They will be given special power that lends authority to their message:
Revelation 11:3: 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. KJV
But how is their message received by the unrepentant people of the earth at that time?
Revelation 11:7-10 : 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. KJV
It is clear that Christ must return in power to put down the spirit of rebellion that will reign over the earth during the horrible period of the tribulation. Men’s hardened hearts will not be humbled until Satan ‘s influence is wiped clean from this earth and those people who follow after his rebellious spirit are expunged. That is the sad fate that awaits all those who have learned to love the evil ways of this world.
Yet, as recalcitrant as humans are, God will still send out his warning message because He is righteous. We, in His church, must not forget that He has warned all of us that these evil days lie ahead.
To hear the entire Sabbath service from Saturday 07/26/2014 click on the link below:
This service (broadcast from Tulsa, Oklahoma) runs approx. 95 minutes and downloads to a file approx. 68MB in size.
Pastor Mr. Steven LeBlanc gave the World News Update/Sermonette: (This Update/Sermonette begins at approx. 6:57 into the audio file)
Mr. LeBlanc also gave the sermon: “Elijah’s Broken Spirit” (This sermon begins at approx. 38:46 into the audio file)