Come Out of Her My People

THE final divine call to humanity provides the urgent invitation to separate from the Roman Catholic Church and the fallen Protestant churches which have adopted her apostasy.

This call comes with the everlasting gospel that is proclaimed to all the inhabitants of the earth. Jesus gave His disciples a precious promise when they asked Him when the end of the world would be.

That promise has always been the dynamic force that has motivated Christ’s true followers to proclaim His message of love, salvation, and soon coming to this world. Jesus was not dealing in general terms, for He said "this gospel," not just "a gospel." Evidently, this gospel was not temporary or transitory. It is most clearly defined, in Revelation 14, in what is frequently referred to as the first angel’s message, which is part of the other two messages that follow.

It is one thing to be called out of Babylon; it is another thing to know where to go. When the Jews were given the opportunity to leave literal Babylon, many remained. So it will be when the final invitation is given. God will have an authentic church with His true believers. The book of Revelation frequently refers to the pure woman at the end time. Such symbolism is always representative of God’s true, pure church.

It is self-evident that it will be this church which will give the invitation of Revelation 18:4 to the world. It will present the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6, 7 to earth’s inhabitants. Those honest souls who reach the conviction that they are members of a church from which God is calling them now have the opportunity to join that group of people who will take this everlasting gospel to the world.

It is essential that we discover the message of the everlasting gospel, and discern which church espouses it in its fullness. A review of Revelation 14:7 reveals that there are four interwoven elements of this message:

1. Fear God.

2. Give glory to Him.

3. The hour of His judgment is come.

4. Worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

An understanding of these principles will reveal the church that has accepted these truths. It is possible that some readers will not possess a thorough understanding of the meaning of each of these components. We will use the good Protestant principle of biblical interpretation as we explore the Scriptures because the Bible surely is its own best expositor, the only flawless guide to its own meaning.

1. Fear God. John, the author of Revelation, undoubtedly was a great student of the Old Testament, for he frequently quoted from it. The book of Revelation, in many places, parallels the book of Daniel and other Old Testament prophecies. John acquired his concept of godly fear from what he read in the Old Testament. Consequently we must turn to the Old Testament to discover the broad scope of the command to fear God.

The experience of Abraham, when he was about to offer Isaac on Mount Moriah, clarifies the meaning of implicit and unwavering obedience to God’s command.

These words are of major significance, for they were spoken by Christ Himself. Since the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1), consistence requires that we apply the same meaning to the use of the same term in each passage.

Abraham’s faith was so firm that he obeyed God’s awesome request, and believed that God could and would raise his boy from the dead. He believed it despite the fact that there is no inspired record that a single human had ever been raised from the dead prior to the Mount Moriah experience. This, in reality, was absolute faith that was manifested by unquestioning obedience to our God.

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses explained the meaning of the requirement to fear God.

These passages call God’s people to obey the law of God and His Word. To fear God is to so implicitly trust God that our lives will not reflect our own fallible, human judgment. Instead, we will be ready to follow God’s leading whatever it may be. Only such a people will be able to be used by God to take the everlasting gospel to every nook and cranny of this world.

The Roman Catholic Church is not the only church that refuses to acknowledge God’s power to keep His people from falling into sin. Most Protestant churches today deny that God’s people will possess perfection of character before Christ returns. The Bible is replete with assurances that, in His power, Christ’s humble flock will overcome all sin. In confirmation of this fact, we cite a selection of passages from Holy Writ.

Many have a form of godliness but do not possess the genuine love of God essential for those who are seeking to serve Him.

Such will not receive the crown of life. It must be remembered that we cannot, by our human effort, have day-by-day victory over sin. It is the grace of God that provides such strength.

Only Christ, the victorious One, can keep us from falling.

He has promised that those who have submitted their will to Him will not be tested above their endurance.

A daily commitment of our lives to Jesus requires us to truly fear God. Freedom from the enslavement of sin is the greatest blessing that God desires to give us.

2. Give glory to Him. At first thought, it would seem impossible that fallen humans could give any glory to the God of the universe. God possesses infinite glory, and we innately possess none. Glory represents character. Adam and Eve lost their garments of light when their characters were marred by sin. The all-perfect One surely possesses infinite glory. We must trust the Lord that somehow we will be empowered to "give glory to Him." The Bible does not leave us in ignorance. Jesus Himself addressed the issue.

Righteous characters reflect works of righteousness. Our works must always be for the glory of God, and never for ourselves. Paul’s writings add another dimension to this command to "give glory to Him."

Even in our daily food and drink, our dietary habits, we need to reflect the glory of God. Paul also tells us that we are the temple of God.

Note the striking relationship between 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17 and idolatry. The image worship of the Roman Catholic Church can never lead to God dwelling in the human temple.

1 Corinthians 10:31 makes evident the fact that our health habits need to reflect the glory of God. Many churches have given little heed to the relationship of biblical health habits to Christian character; also they have not taken a stand against alcohol or tobacco. They do not educate their members in those dietary principles which will enhance their Christian commitment, service, and honor to God. It is evident that God’s faithful church will practice these true health principles.

God’s true end-time church will teach the commandments of God and claim Christ’s provision to keep His faithful servants from falling into sin. They will also honor God with their habits of a healthful lifestyle. Sadly, most churches of Protestantism do not measure up to these requirements.

3. The hour of His judgment is come. This judgment-hour message is little understood in Christendom. It cannot be understood by most Christians, for they have accepted the Greek-pagan concept of immediate life after death that has been consistently taught since the time of the ancient city of Babylon. The Bible consistently teaches that death is a dreamless sleep. Each deceased person awaits the call of the Life-give at His second coming.

Job recognized that he would see God in his (Job’s) flesh instead of in a spirit body.

God’s reference to souls means living humans who sin and will be destroyed if they do not repent of their sins. There is no indication of eternal punishment in Scripture.

The Bible plainly states that only God possesses immortality.

The Word of God teaches that the faithful receive immortality only at the resurrection of the righteous dead.

The Bible teaches that man is presently mortal.

Jesus wished to give His disciples the hope of eternal life. He did not point them to the moment of their deaths; instead, He directed their minds to His second coming—the time when they would be resurrected. Study this passage carefully.

God, in His infinite wisdom, allows His fallen creation to rest in the grave until He calls them forth in the resurrection; thus God’s redeemed are spared the agony of observing the effects of sin upon their living loved ones. In His justice, God allows the unfallen angels of the universe to review the records of the human race before one soul is saved.

John identifies these myriads of beings as multitudes of angels who are present at the judgment.

This judgment is presently in progress in heaven. It takes place just prior to the return of Jesus. Daniel refers to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom that is immediately after the judgment of the beast power.

In this judgment, all who have claimed loyalty to God are judged. God formally declares who are His faithful people. It is important to note that this judgment begins just after the end of the medieval reign of the Papacy. Daniel mentions the papal power.

The 1260 days were indeed symbolic of the 1260 years of papal dominance over Europe. (See chapter 5, entitled "The Medieval Reign of the Papacy.") This time period began in 538 when Pope Vigilius exercised the role of Pontifex Maximus, and concluded with Pope Pius VI’s imprisonment in 1798. This prophecy, the 1260-year period of papal dominance, is represented by the term, a time, and times, and half a time, literally one year, two years, and half a year, or 1260 prophetic days (1260 literal years).

The Papacy (here represented by the little horn) will be judged as unfaithful, and all those who worship him will similarly be judged as unfaithful. This same judgment considers the lives of God’s people.

God’s judgment is against the little horn (the Papacy) and in favor of His people. What a wonderful message to the world! Christ stands up for His people in the judgment. It would be a fearful experience to have to stand alone before God’s judgment bar without the One who lived a perfect life and died for our salvation. Our Lord, our Saviour, stands up for us in the judgment. What a thrilling prospect! Both authors have preached this message around the world, and both have thrilled at the response of Protestants, Catholics, Christians, and non-Christians to this message.

We have found only one church which preaches this message—the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We have been especially blessed to recognize that it also upholds the Bible principle declaring that God’s saints will keep the commandments of God through the faith of Jesus.

We also realize that this church has, for well over a century, placed emphasis upon the message of healthful living.

4. Worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. This final facet of the everlasting gospel calls for worship of the Creator. This command incorporates an explicit reference to the Sabbath commandment.

There is only one day that God has ordained as the reminder of His creative power—the seventh day of the week.

This day was honored by the ancient patriarchs and reestablished by Moses. God is particular. It is not within man’s province to determine the day which should be hallowed.

This day was set aside as a sign or seal (see Romans 4:11) of sanctification.

This day was kept by the faithful throughout the Old Testament era. Christ worshiped on this day when He was on earth.

Christ claimed this day as His very own.

Paul also worshiped on this day.

During life in the new earth, all of God’s redeemed will worship Him on that special day.

Some Christians who are not very knowledgeable about the Scriptures have questioned whether Saturday is the Sabbath referred to in the fourth commandment. The Bible establishes this fact in relation to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus died on what has become known as Good Friday, and rose from the dead on Easter Sunday. There is only one day between these two days—Saturday. Luke refers to the day of Christ’s death (Friday).

The Sabbath was observed, in Christ’s day, from sunset on Friday evening and extended to sunset on Saturday evening, as God had commanded; thus, when Jesus died at 3 p.m. on Friday, it was still the preparation day, and the Sabbath soon followed.

Matthew recorded the day of Christ’s resurrection (Sunday).

Scripture decisively declares that the Sabbath is indeed Saturday. History testifies to the fact that no alteration in the weekly cycle has occurred since apostolic times.

This day was the one upon which most of the faithful Christians, up to at least the seventh century (see chapter 5, entitled "The Medieval Reign of the Papacy"), worshiped. We recognize that the Roman Catholic Church proudly boasts that it was not Christ or the apostles who changed the Sabbath from the seventh day (Saturday) to the first day (Sunday). As previously mentioned, many gave their lives in loyalty to the Creator. At the end of time, the Sabbath will once more become the great test of loyalty to Christ.

Satan hates the Sabbath because it is an acknowledgment of the One to whom we justifiably owe total allegiance. Ever since the controversy in heaven, Satan has sought to claim the rulership of this world. Worship on the pagan day of the sun is an acknowledgment of Satan’s rulership. One shows, by the day upon which he worships, his loyalty to the sovereignty of the Creator in his life. God desires to recreate His image in our hearts.