Hearken; Behold, there went out a Sower to sow: and it came to pass, as He sowed (the seed), some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up…. And He said unto them, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear…. The Sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
Mark 4:3-4, 9, 14-15 KJV
“That with which the parable of the sower chiefly deals is the effect produced on the growth of the seed by the soil into which it is cast.
The seed sown by the wayside represents the word of God as it falls upon the heart of an inattentive hearer.
Like the hard-beaten path, trodden down by the feet of men and beasts, is the heart that becomes a highway for the world’s traffic, its pleasures and sins.
As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart.
The good seed finds no place to take root, and Satan catches it away.”
“…it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks….For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand…if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts…Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me…”
Acts 4:6; Psalm 95:7; Revelation 3:20 KJV
The Lord sends us warning, counsel, and reproof, that we may have opportunity to correct our errors before they become second nature. But if we refuse to be corrected, God does not interfere to counteract the tendencies of our own course of action. He works no miracle that the seed sown may not spring up and bear fruit. That man who manifests an infidel hardihood or a stolid indifference to divine truth, is but reaping the harvest which he has himself sown. Such has been the experience of many. They listen with stoical indifference to the truths which once stirred their very souls. They sowed neglect, indifference, and resistance to the truth; and such is the harvest which they reap. The coldness of ice, the hardness of iron, the impenetrable, unimpressible nature of rock—all these find a counterpart in the character of many a professed Christian. It was thus that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. God spoke to the Egyptian king by the mouth of Moses, giving him the most striking evidences of divine power; but the monarch stubbornly refused the lightwhich would have brought him to repentance. God did not send a supernatural power to harden the heart of the rebellious king, but as Pharaoh resisted the truth, the Holy Spirit was withdrawn, and he was left to the darkness and unbelief which he had chosen. By persistent rejection of the Spirit’s influence, men cut themselves off from God. He has in reserve no more potent agency to enlighten their minds. No revelation of His will can reach them in their unbelief.
Our High Calling pg. 160
It is not God that blinds the eyes of men or hardens their hearts. He sends them light to correct their errors, and to lead them in safe paths; it is by the rejection of this light that the eyes are blinded and the heart hardened. Often the process is gradual, and almost imperceptible. Light comes to the soul through God’s word, through His servants, or by the direct agency of His Spirit; but when one ray of light is disregarded, there is a partial benumbing of the spiritual perceptions, and the second revealing of light is less clearly discerned. So the darkness increases, until it is night in the soul.
The Desire of Ages pg.322
“Every rejection of light hardens the heart and darkens the understanding; and thus men find it more and more difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, and they become bolder in resisting the will of God.”
Conflict & Courage pg.88
Do not kick against the pricks and convictions of the Holy Spirit in your heart. He stands at the door and knocks, today, if you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
“And YOU He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (satan), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ(by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…..Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience….But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (God)….
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness…. if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…..Dearly beloved, I beseech you….. abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.…. For they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengtheneth me.”
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me…Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.“
John 10:27; Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
Every soul is as fully known to Jesus as if he were the only one for whom the Saviour died. The distress of every one touches His heart. The cry for aid reaches His ear. He came to draw all men unto Himself. He bids them, “Follow Me,” and His Spirit moves upon their hearts to draw them to come to Him. Many refuse to be drawn. Jesus knows who they are. He also knows who gladly hear His call, and are ready to come under His pastoral care. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” He cares for each one as if there were not another on the face of the earth.
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love, revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.
“Jesus has not left you to be amazed at the trials and difficulties you meet. He has told you all about them, and He has told you also not to be cast down and oppressed when trials come. Look to Jesus, your Redeemer, and be cheerful and rejoice.”
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try (test) you, as though some strange thing happened unto you, but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV
“He is able and willing to help you whenever you call upon Him.”
“If you try to carry your burdens alone, you will be crushed under them. You have heavy responsibilities. Jesus knows about them, and He will not leave you alone if you do not leave Him…. He bids you hope in His mercy, believing that He does not desire you to carry these weighty responsibilities in your own strength. Only believe, and you will see the salvation of God.”
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day.”
Exodus 14:13 KJV
“Do you feel your insufficiency for the position of trust that you occupy? Thank God for this. The more you feel your weakness, the more you will be inclined to seek for a helper. “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8 KJV
Testimonies for the Church, volume 8, pg. 128
Cast your burdens upon the Lord and He will sustain thee, He will never suffer the righteous to be moved. Christ says to you this day reader, “My presence shall go before thee and I shall give thee rest”, “as thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
“…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
James 4:4 KJV
Says Christ: “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” The true followers of Christ cannot enjoy the friendship of the world and at the same time have their life hid with Christ. The affections must be withdrawn from the treasures of earth and transferred to the heavenly treasure. How difficult was it for the young man who had great possessions to withdraw his affections from his worldly treasure, even with the promise of eternal life before him as his reward! Matthew 19:16-30 KJV
The Lord would have you closely search your own heart….and get the love of the world out of it. Die to self, and live unto God. Then will you be of that number who are the light of the world.
Testimonies for the Church, volume 2, page 290
Search me Oh God, and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
“As I hear of the terrible calamities that from week to week are taking place, I ask myself: What do these things mean? The most awful disasters are following one another in quick succession.How frequently we hear of earthquakes and tornadoes, of destruction by fire and flood, with great loss of life and property! Apparently these calamities are capricious outbreaks of seemingly disorganized, unregulated forces, but in them God’s purpose may be read. They are one of the means by which He seeks to arouse men and women to a sense of their danger.
The coming of Christ is nearer than when we first believed. The great controversy is nearing its end. The judgments of God are in the land. They speak in solemn warning, saying: “Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44 KJV.
But there are many, many in our churches who know little of the real meaning of the truth for this time. I appeal to them not to disregard the fulfilling of the signs of the times, which says so plainly that the end is near. Oh, how many who have not sought their souls’ salvation will soon make the bitter lamentation: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved”!
We are living in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The hours of probation are fast passing. We have no time—not a moment—to lose. Let us not be found sleeping on guard. Let no one say in his heart or by his works: “My Lord delayeth His coming.” Let the message of Christ’s soon return sound forth in earnest words of warning. Let us persuade men and women everywhere to repent and flee from the wrath to come. Let us arouse them to immediate preparation, for we little know what is before us.
The Lord is soon to come, and we must be prepared to meet Him in peace.“
Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p.g. 252-253, 1904
“And it shall be said in that Day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is Jehovah; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”
Christ is the GREATEST Teacher that the world has ever known. And what is the standard that He holds before all who believe in Him? “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.
As God is perfect in His sphere, so man may be perfect in his sphere.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. 1 John 2:6. There is opened before us a path of constant advancement. We have an object to gain, a standard to reach, that includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual STRIVING and constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character.
Paul says: “I count not myself to have apprehended (arrived at the goal): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14.
Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8, p.g. 64
STRIVE to enter in at the strait (narrow) gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able….Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) 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.
“As the days of Noah were, so shall also the Coming of the Son of Man be.”
Matthew 24:37 KJV
By studying the life of Noah, Genesis 6 & 7, much can be learned as we see the Day quickly approaching.
The story of Noah typifies those faithful believers who will be alive at the Second Coming of Jesus, when He comes in glory to save His saints and destroy the wicked. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2Thessalonians 1:6-10.
As Noah was a righteous and holy man, living in a perverse and wicked generation, who found grace in the eyes of the Lord, Genesis 6:8, so, God’s faithful, Bible believing Christians, living in this perverse and wicked world, must walk with God daily as did Noah. We must live in accordance to His statutes and Commands and be obedient to His Word, daily seeking to please Him, that we may also find grace in the sight of a Holy and Mighty God. We must be found spotless, without blemish and without any guile found in our mouths, by God’s grace.
When told that he was to build an ark, Noah wasted no time, he quickly got to work, building and preaching for 120 years that the coming destruction of the world was nigh upon the pre-flood race. He was focused in doing the work which God had prepared for him, he was obedient to God’s Word, “a preacher of righteousness” to a corrupt generation, 2 Peter 2:5KJV.
Likewise, as we see the Day of God quickly approaching, so must we also be preparing. We must be seeking God daily in prayer and supplications, getting our lives in order and conforming to the Word of God, for it is“a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path“, directing our steps in this dark world.. We must be obedient to God’s Word as Noah was and also proclaim the good news of Christ to the world, the everlasting Gospel. We must preach the imminent Second Coming of Jesus to the nations, that others may also have the opportunity to know the truth as it is in Jesus, for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Like Noah we must be preparing our households and families, pointing them in the direction of the Ark of Christ.
At the time that the flood waters came, the masses were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, the world went on as usual, the inhabitants had no regard for spiritual things and for their soul’s salvation and they knew not the impending judgement that was to fall upon them. The wicked world of that time rejected the gospel as it was preached by Noah and it was to their own demise. Matthew 24:37-39 KJV.
So will it be at the Second Coming of Christ, as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days preceding Christ’s return.
God will have a faithful people upon this earth that will proclaim true Bible Christianity, not the Babylonian, false doctrines that are prevalent in the churches today, lulling the people asleep. These faithful Christians will preach Bible truth, Old and New Testament, they will preach the atonement of Jesus Christ as the only acceptable propitiation for our sins, and they will proclaim with a loud shout His imminent return and with it the destruction of this world along with its wicked inhabitants, who shall be destroyed by the sword of His mouth, with the brightness of His Coming, Revelation 19:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:8KJV.
“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.”
Lamentations 3:22 KJV
In His mercy, the Father has provided for His people a true Ark in Jesus. May we heed the message of warning and get back to true Bible based Christianity and find ourselves in the Ark, before God closes the door.
Repent and turn from your sins for the Kingdom of God is at hand.
Whether one believes it or not, Christ is coming soon, turn from your wicked ways and live, lest you be destroyed as those living in the days of Noah were also destroyed because of the hardness of their hearts.
“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
“There is another and more important question that should engage the attention of the churches of today. The apostle Paul declares that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber?
The only reason is that the church has conformed to the world’s standard and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the great truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital godliness in the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled. “
Loud Cry Compendium 