ASI Southern Union 2019: Present Truth | Happening Now

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ASI Southern Union

Christopher Beason

Happening Now!

The man with the stern face walked up to me after I finished my sermon for an ASI conference like this in a different city far from here.

I was sizing him up quickly, wiry, bearded, a little taller than me, stern, not a particularly inviting expression.

His hand held in such a way that I just felt a scolding was coming.

John, you've never been approached by someone who had something to share, and they began their sentence, brother.

And his question to me was life changing.

Isn't that what Adventists believe, he said.

No matter how valuable his words were, he did not know me, I did not know him, and I assure you, we did not connect.

His present truth speech was like dribble as he cornered me with a lecture for at least 10 minutes.

Despite the lack of familiarity with my new friend, through the spirits leading, I began a journey to find present truth.

You see, in 40 years of Adventism, I couldn't answer his question.

How is it that I, deeply involved within the Southern Union, the place where ASI began, How is it I didn't know the definition of present truth?

So I started asking people, and I was alarmed at how many people didn't know the definition of present truth.

I began to search in 2 Peter 1, verse 12.

We've read it this weekend, let's read it again.

Therefore, brethren and sisters, therefore, brothers and sisters, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.

Verse 11, for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And verse 12, for this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

Peter's parting words to the New Testament church, you've learned Christian doctrine, you've learned Christian living, you've learned Christian duty, show love in your action and faith.

Essentially, he says to the early church, do present truth.

Our Father in heaven, as we open your word, I pray that my brothers and sisters will not hear me, but that they will hear and be moved by your Holy Spirit.

That this present truth that we've been speaking of all weekend will be the new thing that the Spirit is doing in them as your servant Isaiah says to us.

Do a new thing in us tonight, do a new thing as we go away from this place tomorrow, Do a new thing through us, in us, and around us with this present truth.

James White actually defined in the very first Adventist review the term present truth.

Only back then the Adventist review was not called the Adventist review.

Anybody have an idea of what it was called?

I'm either in trouble or I'm gonna do really well tonight.

I've asked that a few other times and nobody knew.

Let me read to you these gripping words from our church's second president.

James White said it in volume 1, number 1.

If I could borrow John and have him come up and read it to us and we'd have that, the storm is coming.

War, famine, and pestilence are already in the field of slaughter.

Now is the time, the only time to seek a shelter in the truth of the living God.

In Peter's time, there was present truth or truth applicable to that present time.

We've heard that theme again this weekend, right?

The church have ever had a present truth.

The present truth now is that which shows present duty and the right position for us who are about to witness the time of trouble such as never was.

The time of trouble such as never was, it's coming.

Present truth must be oft repeated even to those who are established in it.

Do you feel like you're established in present truth?

This was needful in the apostles day and it certainly is no less important for us who are living just before the close of time.

So, what was James White's definition of present truth?

He said it is our present, it is our Christian duty for today, for the time that we are living in.

It's what is relevant, what is urgent and important to 2019, not 1919, or if the Lord carries not 2119, the present truth is duty, right position, now.

I thought I was in an Adventist congregation.

The present truth is duty, right position for us now, tonight.

And in my study, James White is the first present truther, ties Peter's admonition here.

He ties it to Revelations 4 angels, the holding back the winds of strife as the 3 angels' messages unfold.

If you have your Bibles or your digital devices, let's go there.

Revelation 14, we know these verses probably some of us by heart, others of us very close.

Revelation 14, the first angel's message in verse 6, "'Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, "'having the everlasting gospel to preach.'" Do you know what the everlasting gospel is, church?

The everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation tribe tongue and people saying with a loud voice Fear God give glory to him for the hour of his judgment has come Worship him who see made the heavens and the earth the sea and springs of water second angels message and another angel followed saying Babylon is fallen is fallen that great city because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication her deception her deceit is over with third angels message in verse 9 and jumping down to verse 12 then a third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, if anyone worships the beast in his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God which is poured out full strength to the cup of indignation.

Down to verse 12, here is the patience of the saints, here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

In the first angel's message, we find justification, Gospel acceptance.

In the second angel's message, we find sanctification, rejecting deceptions.

And in the third angel's message, we find glorification, promised redemption.

So I started looking in my daily Bible study and I would compare notes because I wanted to understand this more.

If justification, sanctification, and glorification are in the 3 angels' messages, I wondered where else it might be.

And I found that these themes repeat themselves through so much of Scripture, from the story of redemption at creation, to the liturgy of the sanctuary services, down through the ages of David and Nehemiah and Ezra and Peter and Paul, here to John the Revelator.

Justification, sanctification, glorification.

In my study though, I hadn't seen the present truth for us clearly.

At least I hadn't seen what these 3 could be for us today until I stopped in the book of Isaiah, where if you will allow me, we'll unpack a bit of the practical gospel.

And it may be a bit of a rebuke to us today, but I believe we'll find present truth if you will.

Isaiah 58, and actually, before we start in chapter 58, We'll jump back to verse 15 of the previous chapter.

Isaiah 57, verse 15, for thus says the high and lofty 1.

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Happening Now!

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