Dearest Ones,
Every day that you get up in the morning is a day closer to my coming. It is a day to rejoice in my love and care for you; and it is a day to walk with me in service.
Now for the topic of today. It is "restoration." This has been my plan since the defection of Lucifer in the courts of heaven. I do not make anything that is expendable. From the spheres and galaxies that circle the heavens to the tiniest plant that springs from the sod, I have a purpose. Some things are simply to fill the earth with beauty and song. But when I created lofty Adam and gave Eve to him to be his companion, I did so with the intention of elevating them to fill the empty places that were vacated by Lucifer and the fallen angels. [R&H 5/08/1894; ST 5/29/01.]
Do you realize how devastating it was to lose one-third of the angels in heaven? There was much grieving by the Father and I and all the loyal angels. Before Lucifer's defection, every angel looked up to him as their chosen leader and beloved friend, for I had created him with many winsome gifts and talents of leadership that won the admiration and loyalty and trust of all the angels. After he and the disloyal angels who followed him were cast out of heaven, I immediately instated Gabriel in Lucifer's position, for he also was a covering cherub, possessing great stateliness and virtue of character, and his loyalty and love for me was unbounded. He was the leader of the loyal angels who did not defect, and influenced many who were wavering to return to their allegiance to me.
But no one can, or ever will, take the exact place of Lucifer, for I will never again place in the hands of one created being the power and glory that he had. But I will distribute these same gifts and qualities among my beloved and faithful ones who follow me through the final events of the battle with evil at the close of this earth's history. Then all the accusations of the devil will be refuted in the lives of those who are cleansed, sealed, and fully baptized with the latter rain. These are the 144000, and their victory over sin and the temptations of the evil one are, and will ever be, the full display of what I can do to deliver anyone from sin if they will choose with all their hearts to come into oneness with me. They will refute every argument and accusation of the devil against me, my love, my character, and my government.
Then the great controversy will be ended, and sin and sinners will be forever eradicated from the universe, never to rise again. But now it is time to put on the full armor of God [Eph. 6:10-17], for the war with sin is not yet over. The final battle with wicked men and the evil demons who lead and inspire them is approaching, and I want my faithful ones to be by my side as we enter into that battle. It will be short, but extremely intense. And in order to survive it, you must be cleansed of every sin, for sin is sympathy with the cause of the evil one and his accusations against me. Therefore you must diligently search your hearts under the leading of the Holy Spirit and see if there be any wicked way in you. As David said after falling to the temptation of lust:
"Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: . . . Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. . . . Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness." Ps. 51:2-14.
There must be nothing in your heart that responds to, or agrees with, the temptations of the evil one. Your heart must be pure, your trust in me unwavering, and your determination to have complete victory unshakable. Then you can be sealed for eternity, for your inner character will be exactly in tune with mine, and that which I displayed while I was on earth which saw me through the final battle with the devil in Gethsemane and on the cross. He was a beaten foe then, and now he will be a beaten foe for the last and final time through my people, my cleansed bride, who will be in complete harmony and agreement with me on everything. Thus I will display to the universe once and for all that my sacrifice and my blood can cleanse and restore mankind to the uttermost, and silence forever every accusation against me by the prince of darkness. Therefore, I can now move forward to the finishing of the work of the redemption of mankind, for I have a remnant of my people who are willing to sacrifice all to follow me through the cleansing, the sealing, the latter rain, the time of trouble, and the battle of Armageddon, which ends when I come to take my faithful people home.
Rise, my beloved one, and trust me in the days ahead. I have paved the way before you and I will strengthen and sustain you through any future hardships that you may experience. Do not fear that I will not provide everything that you will need to be successful and live in safety. Satan may threaten, but I will protect you from every plan of the evil one, for you are the apple of my eye, and the reward for all my sufferings.
Go now to the activities of your day, but remember who you are and the goal that is set before you, which is to persevere to the end and hold the banner of truth and salvation high for all the world to see. Satan and his angels cannot pass through this standard, because it is dipped in the blood of my sacrifice for you. Please keep your eyes upward to me and watch for my providences and listen to my guiding voice, and you cannot fail to please me. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:29, 30. Lovingly, Jesus.