Why Love?

Studying Biblical prophecies about the last time, delving into God's law, seeing how everything is moving toward culmination before our eyes, one logically comes to the conclusion that the end of the world is very near. And if this is so, then the prophecy of sealing will soon be fulfilled as well. And a question arises: "Who among us will receive God's seal?" I very much want to have it. I also desire that all my dear friends, all brothers and sisters from my worldwide church, be sealed by God, and by no one else.

If one does not build close relationships with Christ and does not delve into the depth of prophecies about the last time, an impression may arise that to receive God's approval, it is sufficient only to make a covenant with Him in the right church, agree with the truthfulness of one's denomination's teaching, and live as other church members live. The essence of worship becomes the idea that I must come to a meeting on a specific day, participate in discussing another topic, listen to a sermon, and at best have lunch with someone after the service. And all this is important and relevant, and there is no way around it. But in reality, the most interesting part of Christian life begins precisely when I am left alone, in no hurry, and have enough free time to spend it as I see fit. I can choose what my soul or my flesh desires. God's love quietly knocks at my heart and wants to reveal something to me but modestly waits for my decision about which path and way of thinking I will choose.

The last time will differ from all previous eras in that believers must reach such perfection in Christ that they will be able to endure all trials without an Intercessor in the Heavenly Sanctuary. How is this possible? What does this mean? It means that God will prepare a special people who will enter into such close relationships with Christ and so clearly reflect the fullness of God's character in their lives, being eternally established in truth, that no forces of darkness will be able to shake such believers in any trials.

It is difficult to comprehend this mentally, but I want to understand where the key to such a conclusion lies. What should I do to be saved at this time? Enterprising people understand that difficult times await us, and they are not sitting idle but preparing remote shelters with autonomous amenities, supplies of drink and food, and independence from the world. But the problem with these people is that the most important preparation occurs in the soul, and if the heart is not ready or proves unfit, what use will all other expectations be?

Jesus will come regardless of my faith or my readiness for this event. But He does not wish for me to perish and therefore reveals His plan for my preparation. He also gave His church a prophet through whom He transmitted important details of the final preparation, wanting to show special details to those who will thoroughly study and investigate this.

The Bible contains many pointers in the correct direction for investigating this question, and the Holy Spirit more clearly reveals various details and convinces of the truth.

And all the prophecies of Scripture lead us to the conclusion that agape love will play a key role in the last time. What does this mean? Why love?

In our previous lessons of the Agape Love School, we found answers to these questions and concluded that without love, we will have big problems.

But I want to bring clarity to this matter. God's plan for the last time was composed by God, and having passed through centuries, He has brought us to the moment when this plan enters its final phase of fulfillment. This is not my plan or yours, but God's. It can be found in Revelation 3:14-22.

The Laodicean period, as is commonly believed, began in October 1844 when the longest prophecy about cleansing the Heavenly Sanctuary was fulfilled, and God's judgment moved to its final phase. It is in this message that the true spiritual state of God's people and myself personally is described, and then a way out is given and a reward for the victor is announced. And this gives hope that it is possible to achieve the state that the Lord expects of me.

The entire essence of the message is embedded in Revelation 3:18. And it is in accepting these symbols that God's plan for my victory lies. The Spirit of Prophecy also speaks very clearly and unambiguously that believers who do not accept the counsel of the Faithful Witness will be sifted and risk being left without God's protection, as verse 16 speaks about.

God has invested in this plan all of His heart, all the blessings of Heaven that one can only dream of, the full wisdom and richness of glory. This message serves as the left hand of the three angels' message, with health reform considered the right hand (Proverbs 3:16). Gold refined by fire is a symbol of God the Father, faith and love, patience in trials, and obedience to truth. And agape love becomes the distinguishing characteristic of the character of the last-time victor.

In the description of the 144,000 group from Revelation 14:1-5, one can see that it is love in all its fullness and depth that made them such a special people, in whose mouths there is no guile. If love is removed from this group, it would turn into a gathering of sinners.

Some will find it difficult to agree that love will be the main criterion when weighing character. This happens because many perceive love as a pink heart and sensual sentimentality. But with deep knowledge of this topic, a completely different picture opens up to me, and an involuntary question arises: "Who will be able to stand?"

God's plan contains a promise that Christians who wish to understand the Lord's design and accept it will receive power and wisdom from above and will be taught by God.

Many brethren will carefully observe these people, note their mistakes and successes, rejoice in their blessings, and do nothing for themselves to replenish their vessels with oil for lamps. Insight into the acceptance and meaning of the symbols of this message will be given to everyone, but not everyone will decide to acquire what Jesus advises, because such knowledge will deprive me of free time, point out my sinful attachments, and require all of me as payment. Not many will make such a sacrifice.

Cain and Abel differed in that one accepted God's plan and strictly followed it, while the other conceived something of his own and tried to invite God to bless it.

When giving the commandment to love one another, Jesus declared three times that this is a commandment. The end of the third angel's message contains this element of obedience in Revelation 14:12: "Here is the patience of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." But it is characteristic of sinful humans to invent their own plans and offer them as an alternative. We read in Revelation 22:14: "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." Again, it speaks of keeping the commandments.

We cannot ignore God's plan without bringing sad consequences upon ourselves.

Love is not only a feeling but the closest merger with God, which takes me to a new level of relationships with Him and with neighbors. It is the mind of Christ, His faith and righteousness, His wisdom and power in me.

Reflection Questions for this Chapter

1. Please read Isaiah 55:8-9; Ezekiel 18:29; Ephesians 5:1-2; Matthew 24:12-13; 1 Corinthians 13:13; 14:1; Hebrews 6:9-12; 10:24; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2:22; Titus 2:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:12; 6:11; Romans 13:8-10 in light of this chapter.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand from this chapter?

4. Do you understand the Divine plan described in the message to Laodicea?

5. Why is such an important plan so inconspicuously presented to the church?

6. How long has it been since you heard a sermon about the very important message contained in the Laodicean epistle for the last time?

7. Do you think God will prepare a people corresponding to His plan?

8. How can I understand the message to Laodicea, since it is full of strange symbols?

9. What should I do if I have no time to study the Faithful Witness's message, but I very much want to be among the 144,000?

10. Can I ask God to somehow prepare me for His Coming while I work for Him?

11. What was the difference between Abel's sacrifice and Cain's offering? Is there a lesson for our time in this?

12. Will the Lord sell me something from His goods if I do not buy them but only study them?

13. How do you understand the counsel: "Buy from Me gold..." from Revelation 3:18?

14. Do you consider love something important to you?

15. Do you believe that love in the heart will be an important criterion when weighing you on God's scales?