In The Heart of Jesus

September 12, 2009

By Ernie Knoll

In my dream, I am walking along a small path beside the most beautiful, smooth-flowing stream. I notice the trees moving gently in the breeze. There are a myriad of flowers that have grown on both sides of the stream and I faintly catch their aroma. I then notice fish of different sizes swimming in the stream. I think to myself that it is a picture perfect day. At a turn in the path, I begin to walk up the side of a hill toward a small church. The most wonderful music makes its way down the hill. I listen as many people are singing, “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” As I walk around to the front of the church, a man is standing at the door. He shakes my hand and says, “Welcome. Happy Sabbath.” In the foyer a woman shakes my hand, gives me a bulletin and says, “Happy Sabbath. You are right on time and the service is just about to start.”

As I walk into the sanctuary, I realize I have been in this church before in the dream, “Only One Place to Be.” I sit close to the back next to an elderly man. He smiles and whispers to me, “Happy Sabbath. I am very happy to sit next to you on this wonderful, blessed day.” He whispers to me about the backlit, stained-glass picture, which is behind the pulpit and in front of the baptistery. I tell him I was here once before but I thought it was a mural or painting. He says that many look at this but do not realize the importance of what they see.

As three men walk in from the right side of the platform, they are singing, “God Is in His Holy Temple.” Everyone kneels while the pastor, who is between the two elders, offers a prayer. After this we all return to our seats. Everyone is quiet and reverent. An elder gets up, welcomes everyone and goes over the announcements. I again notice the stained-glass picture. It is a depiction of Jesus praying at the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane. I turn to the elderly man next to me and whisper that the picture has a most beautiful appearance. I tell him that as I look at it I feel there is so much more that I should know and that this peaceful scene is all but serene. He says there is much that can be studied about the importance of what is depicted in this simple scene, especially as it relates to this time in earth’s history.

I notice the elder is still reviewing the announcements. The elderly man leans over to me again and whispers my heavenly name. I quickly turn and look at him, as tears run down my cheeks. I now realize he is the same older man from “The ABC” dream as well as other dreams. He says, “Yes, you are in a dream. I have been sent back, as it is time once again to get started. Do not worry, we will return here after all I have to show you. May I have your hand?” We stand up and he changes from an old man back into the Herald. I give him my right hand and we ascend through the ceiling, through the air and are now in a corridor.

The Herald explains the following. “I have waited to return to you but as before I had to wait till I was told to return. I come to you as a messenger. I am here to show you many things that you are to show to all. I know you wanted confirmation of what was happening. I watched as Satan began to deceive you. He shared great truth with you in some of your unpublished, private dreams, but there was always a little wrong along with all of the truth. I watched as he deceived you more and more. You were convinced that this was direction from the Father of all truth, but I watched as you received direction from the father of all lies. Our Father could have stopped him, but He allows things to happen when He knows it is for the betterment of all. Remember He knows the beginning to the end. He already knew that Satan would deceive you. He already knew that many close friends you had would one day desert you. He already knew that you would stand alone through a time of utter desolation. He already knew that you would have your walk through the wilderness. He already knew that you would go to your own Garden of Gethsemane. He already knew that many would discount you as a messenger, but this was also a test to see if you could overcome. Our Father allowed this to happen because He already knew the outcome.[1] God does indeed hate sin, but He loves the sinner. He loves you. Remember in the first dream when you were reclining at the table? You were told that the Great Host would have done all that was necessary to have you there.”

The Herald puts both of his hands on my shoulders and says, “Make sure you understand and remember He has done everything and continues to do all that He can to have you at the table to serve you.” I try to tell him how sorry I am and that I want to tell him all the sins again and how I am so sorry. However, this is the first time the Herald interrupts me and says, “Stop. You need to realize that our Father seeks a repentant heart. He wrote in the book of Jeremiah 31:34

‘And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.’

He says He will remember their sin no more. He has forgiven you as you have been shown in other private dreams. You should not bring up what happened when He no longer remembers it.”[2]

The Herald explains, “This will be hard for you to share but you must. Many of your family members and friends want to call themselves Christians. Whereas they have written or told you that they forgive you, they have also told you they will never trust you. To no longer trust means they have not forgotten. Jesus, our Lord and Master, asks that each pick up their cross and follow Him. How can you pick up your own cross when you hate the sinner? Jesus forgives and then He forgets. Those who are not, these who are they, forgive but they do not forget. Each is asked to be a Christian, but when they look in the mirror does each really see Jesus? Each must realize they were also deceived as you were and that Satan will strive to deceive all. Each must have a repentant spirit. Each must hate sin but love the sinner. You were told to love one another. Their silence and distance has shown that they are not these who are they. Remember you are a messenger like me. Only share what you are told to. Do not add one word or one sentence. Report what you have been told. The Holy Spirit will do His part. Our Father and our Creator and He that is the Holy Spirit are working together as one to continue in the work you have been shown to do. You are a messenger and They need you to share the messages that have been given to you. You have been shown this in private dreams as well. You have been shown that you are not to worry because They are protecting and providing for you. You were shown in one private dream how an angel was sent to protect you but not give directions. If you let the Holy Spirit do His part, He can change the hearts of many. Please come. I want to show you something.”

I am taken to a room where I see several people sitting and discussing the published dreams I have had. Several do not speak but only sit and listen. The first person states that they are all nothing but lies. The second person states that they will never trust me again. The leader of this group begins to talk and then stops. He looks down and says, “I have been thinking that what IF these dreams really are from God. What IF Ernie really is receiving messages from our heavenly Father. I for one am concerned that I will one day stand before His throne and have to give an account as to why I denounced these messages.” Another man says, “I think we should all pray and ask for God’s direction and pray claiming the blood of Jesus that we not be misled.” I watch as they kneel. The leader prays and asks for God’s divine leading as to the origin of these messages. He states how we know we are to examine the messages to see if anything does not agree with the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. He asks for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He asks that God will show them as to what to believe. As this man is praying I notice a bright form appear next to each individual. I know this to be the presence of the Holy Spirit.

After the leader finishes his prayer, everyone sits down. The leader states again, “What IF these messages really are from our heavenly Father. I think we should realize that we each will need to stand alone before God and give an account. We all have been deceived, but so was Ernie. Because of his deception, should we all cast out the dreams?” The first person repeats again, “These are all lies. These are all lies.” The second person again says, “Although I can forgive him, I will never trust him again.” I now notice that the Holy Spirit moves away a little from both of these people. The leader again questions, “But what IF these are truly messages from our heavenly Father? Do we want to take the chance of not hearing His messages because of how we feel about the messenger?” The first person admits, “Well, all the messages do agree with the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. We have all studied them and found no discrepancies in what they say.” I now notice the Holy Spirit moves closer to the first person. The other man suggests that they leave behind preconceived feelings and personal bias and let the Holy Spirit lead them.

The Herald says, “We must go now. Please come. I am to show you something that will make this easier for you and others to understand.” Holding my right hand we pass through the wall and are in a room of many scrolls, books, video tapes, DVDs, pictures, and newspapers. He explains, “This is the temple of records. You are shown it in this way so that you will understand it. It does not mean that this is actually the way it is. In here is every sin that everyone has ever committed.” He goes over to a shelf, gets a large book and lays it on a table. He says, “These are your sins.” He opens the book and as I begin flipping through the pages, I see many that have been erased. As I look more closely, I see things I have done and said that was wrong that I have forgotten about. He explains, “If you ask, these things will be brought to mind so that these may be removed from the book. Your Savior has a red eraser that removes them.” The Herald places the book back on the shelf and puts in a video tape. As I watch a scene, I feel so ashamed. He says, “These can also be erased but you need to ask to have them erased. I could show you photos, DVDs and articles about you but it is up to you to ask to be shown, to return to your mind that which was wrong and ask for forgiveness. To serve as part of these who are they is not just about asking to serve. It is a work of perfection. How can one stand as part of these who are they if they have sins? All hidden sins must be repented of and stopped. If one wants to be among that great number, they must repent and change the way they live. This also means each must ask for revealing of forgotten sins.[3] If each is to be like Christ, they must stand sinless as Christ.”[4]

The Herald now says, “I am to show you something that will be made very clear to many.” We walk through the wall and are outside in an area where a Person is preparing to begin working. I watch as the first of two dump trucks backs up to where the Workman has directed to have them dump their loads. As it begins dumping the contents, dirt and dust come billowing out. When finished, the second truck backs in, dumps its load and the two trucks drive off. After the dust settles, the Workman, the Herald, and I walk over to this now large pile of dirt and stones. The Herald introduces me to the Workman by stating, “This is one of God’s messengers. He needs to understand what it is that You are going to be doing here.” The Workman looks at me, smiles and says, “It is not an easy task to be a messenger of the Father of the universe. That position is always hated and most prophets were killed or had many problems. What you are going to be doing is a work that will be arduous and that will take time.” Pointing to the large pile of dirt and stones, He says to me, “This represents the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Our Father is looking for special ones who can shine for Him.” I look at the pile and all I see is dirt and stones mixed with leaves, sticks, tree limbs, cans, glass and papers.

The Workman, who is in dark blue coveralls, tells me it is time I get to work. I ask if I can assist Him. He turns to me with a smile that I cannot explain and states that He is the only one that can do what needs to be done, that He is the only one suited for the task. I expect Him to walk over and pick up a shovel, but instead He removes His dark blue coveralls and now stands dressed in very bright white work boots, pants and a shirt. As He walks toward the pile of work, He becomes whiter and brighter. He sets up a large platform which has a filtering screen. He picks up a shovel load, throws it onto the platform then walks over and begins to shake it. The small debris drops underneath the platform. He discards the large debris then puts the stones into either of two separate piles. He again shovels a load onto the large platform, shakes it and separates the debris and stones as before. He does this over and over again. Much later all the debris has been separated from the stones.

The Workman now walks over to the pile of dirt and explains, “This can be used to fill in many small areas but is pretty useless for what I need to do. The small pebbles are not big enough to do what is needed of them. It is not that they are young but that they do not have what is needed to be done. The rest is just useless debris.” The Workman goes to the pile of trash and says, “It is mostly useless. The cans are nothing more than filler. The glass is not only for cutting and causing harm but also to make others think it is a precious jewel. The sticks and limbs are to cause the search for truth to mislead you.”

There is now one larger pile of stones and a much smaller pile. I am amazed that from the large pile of stones, the small pile is only enough to fill a couple of buckets. There were very few stones in the large pile that the Workman was able to use. Several very large stones look as if they had been shined by artificial means. Other stones are made of plastic, plaster, fiberglass or sand. Some have been painted to look good on the outside. The Workman goes on to say, “Some of these stones are not really stones at all. They look like stones but if you cut them open they are hollow, completely useless. The Great Layer of all foundations wants stones that look good on the outside but also on the inside.” The Workman now picks up a sandstone that looks strong but is rough on the outside. He says, “Other stones do not hold up under pressure.” He squeezes it and it crumbles.

The Workman now walks over to the very small pile of stones. He explains, “To One who sees more, He sees precious stones.” I tell Him they look like regular stones. He picks up one of them, places it in a bucket of water, washes off the dirt and rubs it clean. It now has a beautiful color to it. I watch as He washes these stones one at a time and places each in a small bucket. Now I notice the stones are all different colors. I also notice that as He washes the dirt from the stones, the water remains clean. When He is finished He has two buckets of stones. I ask Him if He is ready to begin His project now. He answers, “Oh, no. There is still a process that each stone must go through. If you would like to see you may come with Me.”

The Herald and I follow along and we go into an area where there is a large working furnace. The Workman places a stone on a special metal pole. He extends the pole into the furnace a little at a time. He explains that you cannot apply too much heat because the stone can only withstand so much at one time. As He slowly moves the stone into the furnace, I see it turn bright. It stays together but pieces of impurity fall off and are consumed in the fire. I see imperfections disappear. He now brings the pole from the furnace and with His bare hand takes hold of the hot stone to examine it. He squeezes the stone to get the exact shape that He needs. He places it back in the furnace and it becomes very hot again. He gets the stone back out of the furnace, examines it, then places it in the bottom of a special metal tray designed to be a very large frame. He picks up another stone and starts the process over again. He must grind some of the stones down to the right size. All the remaining stones go through the same process and now appear like most precious jewels of different colors.

I now notice that even though the Workman is dressed in white, He is still as clean as before He started. He places the jewels in the metal frame, working His way up. The front of each jewel is flat and flush with the one next to it. He has formed each to fit perfectly. As He places the jewels into the frame, He is creating the most beautiful piece of art. He says, “Notice that each jewel is an important piece. Each is a different color and shape but all work together for a completed work. Also notice that not all the jewels hold an advanced educational degree and not all hold a certificate proclaiming them as part of this artwork. Each does its part and works along with all the others to complete the work it has been given.” With still much of the artwork to be done, the Workman turns to me and says, “This all started from a large pile but only a few were found to be useful. So it is today with God’s work. Many want to be called, but very few can hold up to the pressure, the trying of the furnace. Many do not want to be reformed nor have their imperfections shown. God can select and use those who are worthy in His hands. However, many are nothing more than useless cans, glass, papers, dirt, twigs, or tree limbs. Many want to pretend they are great stones but are hollow on the inside.”

The Herald says that he has more to show me and that we can return when the Workman has completed His project. We turn and are back in the corridor. He calls me by my heavenly name again and says, “You were shown this a few weeks ago and it is time for you to share it with all. The Great Planner, who knows the beginning to the end, yet has no end, needs His people to understand what I am to show you. We are in a time of final sifting. Soon the Workman will be done sifting and He will move on to the next part of the project. You have this sifting time to realize that you can either be an artificial, hollow stone or you can subject yourselves to the furnace.[5] That may result in exposing your imperfections or hidden sins. However, through His hands He can use you to do His work. You were shown that many that walked away will return. It is up to each to listen to that still small voice, not just family, friends or church leaders. Remember what is written in Amos 3:3.

‘Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’

Those that do not agree with you will walk their own way. That also applies to their walk with the Father. The path they decide is up to them. Remember that you are to deliver the messages and it is not to be your concern what others say about you or the messages you share. Each will stand before the Judge of all judges and receive their personal judgment. Earth is at the last moments of its sinful existence. The whole universe is poised and watching the final, rapid moments. Satan, the deceiver of all, is doing what he can to deceive. You were told to let no one deceive you. You have seen how easy it is to be deceived. After six thousand years of sin, Satan finds it easy to deceive even the very elect. As mentally and physically perfect as Eve was when she was deceived by the serpent, do you not realize how degenerated the final generation has become? Yet this final generation will stand sinless before God. That means they will no longer sin. They will stand with the records purged of any known and forgotten sins.

Many think that the earth will only be destroyed with fireballs. This is not so. If needed, God will use other means to destroy. You have been shown many different ways that God will allow the earth to be destroyed. This is not to say that He Himself will not destroy. Many have said that He does not kill or destroy.[6] They have forgotten the flood of Noah’s day, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the death of Pharaoh and his massive army. That is the problem. Many have forgotten. God can and will destroy and if needed will allow destruction to occur. The Creator of all can destroy as He has before. Remember He loves the sinner but hates sin.

I am now to show you something that could happen. It could be a change of mind as Nineveh or it could be destruction as Sodom and Gomorrah. Hold tight to your faith as this is what you are to be shown and you are to share.” Holding my hand, the Herald and I go to where I am held safely and instructed to observe the things set before me. I am high above the earth looking down and see the area from the coast of Asia to the coast of California. I am told to closely watch the area in Asia. I am not sure if it is China, Korea, or Japan, but I watch something that I will try to describe. A weapon of some kind fires a bright, square energy beam that appears to be about 500 feet square and about 500 miles long. It travels across the surface of the ocean at an amazing speed. As it travels it changes from bright white to clear, resembling a magnifying glass passing over water. It travels across the ocean surface headed for the coast of California. What seems like just a few moments later, the energy beam hits the Los Angeles area and causes a very strong earthquake. I observe as many buildings twist, shake back and forth violently and fall to the ground. Plumes of smoke shoot up and then huge balls of fire explode upwards into the air. The large explosions continue and the destruction heads eastward past the Los Angeles area. I continue to observe as large buildings, freeways, and homes crumble to the ground. The earth’s surface shakes up and down and back and forth. I see the ground open and close as many objects and people are devoured as if by a hungry planet.

The ocean now recedes far out, which makes the earthen floor of the continental shelf visible. I see far down where the ocean used to be. It looks like an extended beach with deep valleys. The water continues to recede. The city’s ground surface slides up and down and back and forth. Fire shoots up and huge plumes of gas-filled balls of fire ascend. The Herald now tells me to look back at the ocean. A massive wave that is thousands of feet high moves very quickly toward the Los Angeles coastline. It covers what is left of the city and many smaller cities and towns, while cresting many of the tall mountains. As the wave recedes, it rakes debris with it back into the ocean. The Herald says to look back at the land. I see no recognizable landmarks, no buildings, bridges, or highways. Nothing but debris remains. Again the ground shakes and slides. Fire and smoke shoot upwards. The Herald says to turn and look again at the ocean. I see another wave just as high as the first crash across where the greater Los Angeles area used to be. The water again goes inland for a long distance then once again recedes and rakes the surface of the earth. Fissures with smoke and steam billow out of the ground all along the Los Angeles area and inland. Another wave as high as the first two leaves the entire area destroyed. The water that fills part of the lower central valley now recedes a third and final time. This destruction causes changes to California that many think would be impossible.

The Herald says, “Come, there is still more to show you.” We go to an area like a farmers’ market except it is a place to show and teach people the correct way of living. I see many tents and tables selling books and pamphlets. Many are teaching how to eat correctly. I am taken to a blue and white tent where I see Becky and myself. (I know this scene to be symbolic of our ministry and how we share with others.) Above the tent is a huge banner that reads, “Attention Seventh-day Adventists.” We are telling people that time is short and that now is the time to repent and turn from our sinful ways. The Herald shows me a table with stacks of Bibles and the Creeping Compromise books. The Great Controversy books are also provided. The Herald states, “Now is the time that every Seventh-day Adventist should read and re-read that book. If you want to be a part of the elect, you should begin studying it now. This is a book that you should know and understand. You should also understand that Satan hates this book.” Someone is now shouting, “We don’t need you. We have the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy.” The Herald tells me that they are not one of these who are they. I am told to look closely and notice that Becky and I use a white cloth to wipe our faces and the front of ourselves as well as our shoes. I now notice a window behind us that resembles a large magnifying glass. It is showing a Bible and a book called Spirit of Prophecy. (I know that the book represents all the writings of Ellen G. White.)

The Herald states that it is time to leave and we enter back into the corridor. He says, “I am now to take you somewhere that is very special. What I show you now I will not be able to show you for long. Remember what I do show you and share what you are shown.” He hands me special boots to put over my shoes. I am given pants and a jacket to put over my clothes and a long robe as a final covering. The robe has several very decorative items on the front of it. The Herald tells me, “Hold tight to my hand. Notice what you can. Do not make noise. Do not touch anything, not even the ground. You are unclean but worthy in God’s eyes. You will only have seconds to record what you see.”

We go through the wall and I instantly know I am in the Most Holy Place. I see Christ standing in front of the mercy seat. He wears a long white robe with bells and pomegranates at the bottom and I can hear the tinkling of the bells. Over the top of his white robe is the most beautiful purple robe. But purple is not the color to give it justice. I think a better name would be Most Royal and Holy Violet Purple. The brightness of His being shines through the white and makes the purple glow with such beauty and holiness. I notice the mercy seat looks almost exactly the way I have seen it in the illustrations by Jim Pinkoski. The main difference is that the mercy seat I am seeing is made of perfectly pure gold. It is not clear but iridescent and looks as if heat waves are rising from it.

Before Christ turns to face the mercy seat again, I see the front of His chest. I will describe it the best I can. On each of His shoulders is a very special stone. On each of the stones are symbols I cannot recognize. Going down from the stones are some kind of ropes that reach almost to His waist. Across His chest are four ropes going left and right. Each is the same distance apart from the next. On each rope are affixed three different stones, each with a beauty that cannot be described. Each are placed an exact distance from each other and make a total of twelve stones. The brightness of Christ’s being makes the stones glow. His face does not appear like that of a man born on this earth but of a man made new, without imperfections, as the righteous will be made new and perfect. On His head is what looks like a crown made of pure white cloth. Over the cloth is a crown of perfect gold and over that a crown of perfect silver. Christ now turns to the mercy seat. With a smoking censer, He holds it over the top of His head. As He speaks I see pins of light coming from the nail scars in His hands and feet. A very bright light emits from His right side. I hear Him say, “It is by My blood, it is through My life, it is through My suffering that I hold these up to You and I ask as Your Son that You forgive them.”

Suddenly, the Herald and I are back in the corridor. He says he has more to show me. He takes me to a scene. It is in the evening. I see Jesus with His disciples. They are going to the Garden of Gethsemane. He tells them to stay and pray, but takes Peter, James and John with Him further into the garden. He asks them to pray then goes a little ways and kneels at a place He has knelt before. He begins to agonize over what is soon to occur. Hours go by and He prays without stopping. Jesus says aloud, “Heavenly Father, if it is possible, please let this cup pass from Me, but may Your will be done, not Mine.” I can tell that the weight of all sins is coming down upon Him. His appearance changes into someone who is deeply burdened. He goes over and finds the three asleep. He asks why they could not stay awake and pray. I notice that His comments are out of love, since He knows they are weak. He goes back and continues to pray. Again He says aloud, “Heavenly Father, if it is possible, please let this cup pass from Me, but may Your will be done, not Mine.” He is weak from hunger and thirst and from bearing the sins of the world. His whole body begins to sweat blood. He collapses over the rock.

The Herald says to turn and look up. The sky rolls apart as a scroll and I watch a scene from the throne of God. I notice the image of the Father command a most noble angel that stands next to the throne to go quickly to His Son. I see the angel helping Jesus hold the symbolic cup to His lips. The angel shows Him those that will be saved because of His decision. Jesus knows His choice and for the third time says aloud, “Heavenly Father, if it is possible, please let this cup pass from Me, but may Your will be done, not Mine.” As the angel stands up, I see his face up close for the first time. I quickly turn to the Herald who tells me, “You like I are a messenger. We are to provide messages and care for those we are directed to. Who we are is not important. Remember, the only name that all should have on their lips is Jesus Christ–our Creator and Master, your Savior and Brother. The scene I have just shown you is a study all should do not only once but many times. What your Savior did is beyond your understanding now but will be the study of the saved for eternity.”[7]

The Herald and I now return to the Workman and His artwork. He has just finished and walks over to me. Calling me by my heavenly name, He says, “You recall we started out with two dump trucks of what some thought would be the making of a perfect church. There were all different kinds of people. Our Father is looking for only the genuine type that will not crumble under pressure, the type that are not pretending on the outside or trying to be something they are not. He is looking for the type that does not paint themselves to look how they want to be seen. After a thorough sifting and shaking, a thorough separation and selection, after each is placed in a furnace and had the imperfections and impurities removed, after each has allowed themselves to be molded or reshaped to fit, what is left is a scene of perfection and love.” The Workman takes me to where I can view the finished artwork. I look up at the Workman and then the Herald who says, “Remember, I told you there is a wonderful study of Jesus and the Garden of Gethsemane.” As I look at the artwork, I realize that what I see is made up of thousands of stones. Each is a little different color and size. Together as one they make up the most beautiful scene. The Herald now says to the Workman that I need to understand how many stones were used to create the artwork. The Workman responds, “144,000.”

I then watch as the Workman changes from one Person to a myriad of bright Beings. Suddenly countless seraphim, with six wings each, descend. They cry out, “Holy, Holy Holy.” The Herald explains to me, “Holy is the Father, Holy is the Son, Holy is the Holy Spirit, for those three are but one. Those three in division stand alone, for each one is real as in what you were shown.”[8] The seraphim now pick up the precious artwork. As they lift it high into the air, their brightness causes the stones to glow. The artwork has now become the scene of Jesus at the rock in the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Herald states that it is time to return to where we started. We leave and descend back down through the roof of the church. As I sit down I see two angels escort Becky in to sit next to me. The Herald tells me, “What God has joined together let no man put asunder. God has blessed and hallowed your marriage and desires that the two of you continue on in His service.” He now assures Becky by saying to her, “Your heavenly Father loves you as much as your husband. He wants you both to continue in His service. You are to keep the blue and white robes around both of you. Know that your Father will be with you and provide for all your needs. It is your sacrifice that He sees.” The Herald ends by saying, “I must leave now. May you both acquire a blessing from the service.”

I now realize that the seraphim had placed the artwork in the front of the church for all to see. It is as if all was put on hold. With Becky now sitting next to me, the church service continues. No one knew I had been gone and that angels had escorted Becky in to sit with me.

The pastor stands up and goes to the platform. He begins by saying that he is honored to speak today on a very special hymn. He says,

“Before the music plays, I want to share the words of this hymn with you. We all feel lonely, but there is only one place to be.”

He opens the hymnal and begins reading aloud, starting with the first verse.

In the heart of Jesus, there is love for you,
Love most pure and tender, love most deep and true;
Why should you be lonely, why for friendship sigh,
When the heart of Jesus has a full supply?

“We have all faced a fear of some kind. We have all been tempted. We have all had our thoughts wander away from Him. However, we have One who paid the price.”

In the mind of Jesus there is thought for you,
Warm as summer sunshine, sweet as morning dew;
Why should you be fearful, why take anxious thought,
Since the mind of Jesus cares for those He bought?

“We should all strive to do His work, to do His bidding. We should contemplate how angels are constantly working. We should ask what we can do to be of service to Him.”

In the field of Jesus there is work for you;
Such as even angels might rejoice to do;
Why stand idly sighing for some life-work grand,
While the field of Jesus seeks your reaping hand?

“We are all but wanderers in search of a home. There is only one place to be. You see, in the home of Jesus, He holds a place for you–a place of such glory, a place of such peace. Why should anyone wander when Jesus has prepared for you a place?”

In the home of Jesus there’s a place for you;
Glorious, bright, and joyous, calm and peaceful, too;
Why then, like a wanderer, roam with weary pace,
If the home of Jesus holds for you a place?”

[1]     Conflict and Courage, p. 69
Jacob’s history is an assurance that God will not cast off those who have been betrayed into sin, but who have returned unto Him with true repentance. It was by self-surrender and confiding faith that Jacob gained what he had failed to gain by conflict in his own strength. God thus taught His servant that divine power and grace alone could give him the blessing he craved. Thus it will be with those who live in the last days. As dangers surround them, and despair seizes upon the soul, they must depend solely upon the merits of the atonement. . . . None will ever perish while they do this. . . .

[2]     Pacific Union Recorder, October 7, 1909
Joshua here stands as the representative of God’s people. Satan is represented as trying to revive Joshua’s past sins, or the past sins of the people of God, so that he shall lose his confidence in God, and his hold upon heaven. But we find that Christ stands ready to resist the work of Satan. We read:

“And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair miter upon his head. So they set a fair miter upon his head, and clothed him with garments.

And the angel of the Lord stood by. And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; if thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house; and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.”

The time had not yet come for Joshua to be glorified. There were those who were watching him, watching for an opportunity to make apparent his defects and failures. Joshua had repented of his past sins, and Christ had pardoned them, but here Satan was bringing them all up before him that he might place him in a false light. And Christ declares what He will do for Joshua and for all who, like Joshua, are seeking to stand justified before Him. The words were spoken: “If thou wilt walk in My ways, and if thou wilt keep My charge, then thou shalt also judge My house, and shalt also keep My courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.”

[3]     Conflict and Courage, p. 69
All who endeavor to excuse or conceal their sins, and permit them to remain upon the books of heaven, unconfessed and unforgiven, will be overcome by Satan. The more exalted their profession, and the more honorable the position which they hold, the more grievous is their course in the sight of God, and the more certain the triumph of the great adversary.

[4]     The Review and Herald, April 28, 1891
It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said he would send into the world, that changes our character into the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like his, that one looking at his sees Christ’s own character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our own ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of his character. Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect his image.

[5]     1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

That I May Know Him, p. 277
Christ is the sin bearer. He is our Redeemer, and He desires to purify us from all dross. He means to make us partakers of the divine nature, developing in us the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The very fact that we are called upon to endure trials proves that the Lord Jesus sees in us something very precious that He would have developed. If He saw nothing in us whereby we might glorify His name He would not spend time refining us. We do not take special pains to prune brambles. Christ does not cast valueless stones into His furnace. It is precious ore that He tests. He sees that the refining process will bring out the reflection of His own image.

What is the result of this refining process? That ye may “be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” O how precious to the soul is one word of commendation that comes from the Redeemer’s lips! We may not understand all now, but the day is coming when we shall be more than satisfied, when we shall see as we are seen, and realize that trial has wrought out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

[6]     Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 628
The forbearance that God has exercised toward the wicked, emboldens men in transgression; but their punishment will be none the less certain and terrible for being long delayed. “The Lord shall rise up as in Mount Perazim, He shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that He may do His work, His strange work; and bring to pass His act, His strange act.” Isaiah 28:21. To our merciful God the act of punishment is a strange act. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Ezekiel 33:11. The Lord is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, . . . forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” Yet He will “by no means clear the guilty.” Exodus 34:6, 7. While He does not delight in vengeance, He will execute judgment upon the transgressors of His law. He is forced to do this, to preserve the inhabitants of the earth from utter depravity and ruin. In order to save some He must cut off those who have become hardened in sin. “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.” Nahum 1:3. By terrible things in righteousness He will vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. And the very fact of His reluctance to execute justice testifies to the enormity of the sins that call forth His judgments and to the severity of the retribution awaiting the transgressor.

[7]     The Review and Herald, May 3, 1881
Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can obtain the assurance of God’s love. When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would ever enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus in his glory, we must become accustomed to beholding him with the eye of faith here. The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation; and each day some time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.

The Great Controversy (1888) , p. 678
And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ.

[8]     Manuscript Releases, Vol. 7, p. 299
We have been brought together as a school, and we need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds, that the Lord God is our keeper, and helper. He hears every word we utter and knows every thought of the mind.