(PART 7): BIBLE VIEW OF PLAGUES, PESTILENCES AND PANDEMICS.

 

[5]. SARDIS CHURCH AGE. The lifespan for SARDIS CHURCH AGE, was between 1520 and 1750. A space of 230 years.

 

The WORD SARDIS means: “THE ESCAPED ONES”, It’s the church that has BEEN UNDER THE GRIP OF A TENACIOUS SPIRITUAL BONDAGE. It had almost sunk into total SPIRITUAL DARKNESS due the replacement of TRUTH with DOGMAS, PERVERTED TEACHINGS AND FALSE DOCTRINES. So, it was a partial, and not a complete escape.

MARTIN LUTHER WAS ITS MESSENGER. He was born in Saxony, Germany in 1483. The Lord called him home in 1546, having lived for 63 years.

As the Messenger to SARDIS CHURCH AGE, his Message was “JUSTICATION BY FAITH;” and “NOT BY WORKS.” Luther challenged church deviations from the ORIGINAL APOSTOLIC TEACHINGS and PRACTICES. Luther BROUGHT REFORMATIONS to what went wrong in The True, Original Apostolic church. That provoked severe persecutions, harassment, excommunications, fines, and imprisonments event death against THE TRUE AND GENUINE BELIEVERS, IN EUROPE first, THEN ELSEWHERE.

Martin Luther was the best well known Church Age Messenger of all Ages. Originally, he wanted to be A LAWYER. But the constraints of his CONSCIENCE and CONCERN about HIS SPIRITUAL LIFE became overriding over all other considerations. In 1505, at the age of 23, he went to study PHILOSOPHY and THE WORD OF GOD. He became a PRIEST in his quest to find PEACE WITH GOD. He later went to Rome from where he saw the futility of the Church-imposed works for attainment of Salvation for man.

Finally, the WORD OF GOD struck home to his heart that; “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH” On his return from Rome he found Salvation through Christ, by faith through which he was born into The Kingdom of God.

Soon Luther’s revelation of the Truth came into an open conflict with what he saw as: “THE ABUSES OF THE CHURCH;” “THE CHURCH CREEDS;” “DOCTRINES;” “SALE OF INDULGENCES FOR THE SINS OF THE DEPARTED;” “THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST’S CHURCH ON EARTH;” “THE MEDIATORIAL POSITION OF CHRIST BETWEEN GOD AND MAN;” “THE VARIOUS ERRONEOUS BAPTISMAL CEREMONIES;” “THE CLAIM OF THE TRANSFORMATION OF COMMUNION BREAD TO THE LITERAL BODY OF JESUS CHRIST;” and “OF COMMUNION WINE IN TO THE LITERAL BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST.” And several other issues.

ON OCT/31/1517, HE WROTE HIS FAMOUS 95 THESIS which HE NAILED TO THE DOOR OF CASTLE CHURCH. That move started what became known as; “THE GREAT REFORMATION.”

Martin Luther recalled the warnings given by THE FIRST CHURCH AGE MESSENGER, (Apostle Paul), for The Truth he established for ALL THE COMING CHURCH AGES:

(ACTS. 20:28-31)

28. Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed THE CHURCH OF GOD, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29. For I know this, that AFTER MY DEPARTING shall GRIEVOUS WOLVES enter in AMONG YOU, not sparing the flock.
30. Also OF YOUR OWN SELVES, shall MEN ARISE SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS to draw away DISCIPLES AFTER THEM.”

Wolves in Sheep skin are Ministers of the devil, who come impersonating as Ministers of Jesus Christ. They come as Angels of light, but they are false Apostles and Teachers.

The Apostle Paul’s second warning was given in this manner:

(GAL.1:8-9)

8. But though WE, or AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN, preach ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than that WHICH WE HAVE PREACHED unto you, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.
9. As WE SAID BEFORE, so say I now again, IF ANY MAN PREACH ANY OTHER GOSPEL unto you than THAT YE HAVE RECEIVED let him BE ACCURSED.

Now unto ALL PREACHERS OF SCRIPTURE ERRORS, how are you going to escape GOD’S PRONOUNCED CURSE UPON YOURSELVES? Here is yet a worse warning from THE APOSTLE JOHN, THE SCRIBE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION, the last book of the Bible.

(REV. 22:18-19)

18. For I testify unto EVERY MAN that heareth the words of THE PROPHECY OF THIS BOOK, if ANY MAN SHALL ADD unto these things, GOD SHALL ADD UNTO HIM THE PLAGUES that are WRITTEN IN THIS BOOK.

What we are discussing now are SOME OF THE PLAGUES CONSEQUENTIAL to the DISREGARD OF GOD’S WORD, DELIVERED BY THE MESSENGERS of EVERY CHURCH AGE.

(DEUT.28:58-61). Here is God’s Message to Israel through his Prophet Messenger MOSES.

58. If thou wilt not observe to do ALL THE WORDS, of this law that are written in this Book, that thou mayest fear this GLORIOUS and FEARFUL NAME, THE LORD THY GOD.
59. Then The LORD will make THY PLAGUES WONDERFUL, (Extraordinary), and THE PLAGUES OF THY SEED; (Offspring) even GREAT PLAGUES, and OF LONG CONTINUANCE, and SORE SIKCNESSS, and OF LONG CONTINUANCE.
60. Moreover he will bring upon thee ALL THE DISEASES OF EGYPT, which thou wast afraid of; and THEY SHALL CLEAVE UNTO THEE.
61. Also EVERY SICKNESS, and EVERY PLAGUE, which is NOT WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THIS LAW, THEM will The Lord bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

Dear READER AND LISTENER, is this a matter, a warning TO TAKE LIGHTLY? Surely, think it over again, and again. If you have ears to hear, listen to these warnings. If you have eyes to see, take note of what you see humans do with THEIR WILLS, and with THEIR BODIES.

This is ONE OF THE MANY REFERENCES on what I mean by “BIBLE VIEW of PLAGUES, PANDEMICS and EPIDEMICS.

AS EVERY INVENTION of MAN HAS A MANUAL TO READ AND FOLLOW, So, has God AVAILED THE BIBLE as HIS MANUAL, FOR HUMANITY TO READ, KNOW, AND TO FOLLOW.

SO, LUTHER’S MESSAGE TO REFORM THE ERRONEOUS WAYS OF THE CHURCH in his day and age, triggered off a RESISTANCE from the church, followed by PERSECUTIONS against him and many of the SUPPORTERS OF HIS REFORMS.

It was also within THE SARDISIAN CHURCH AGE THAT THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, was established in 1534 under a separate headship, KING HENRY (VIII). He also declared himself HEAD OF THE NEW NATIONAL CHURCH called THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

So, there EMERGED THREE NEW MAIN CHURCH STREAMS, NAMELY:

(1). THE ORIGINAL, WORD-BASED APOSTOLIC CHURCH STARTED FIFTY DAYS AFTER THE RESURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.

(2). THE CATHOLIC CHURCH UNDER A VICAR, (Successor);  (VICARIUS FILLI DEI); Meaming: IN THE STEAD OF THE SON OF GOD;  which is One of the EIGHT TITLES of The POPE OF ROME; BY and AT THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA IN 325 A.D; both this Church and its Headship were founded.(Rev.17:7-9)

(3). AND NOW, THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND UNDER THE HEADSHIP OF THE KING OF ENGLAND, IN 1534 A.D.

THESE TWO NEW CHURCHES: (Church of Rome, and Church of England), became very different from The Original (CHURCH FOUNDED ON THE DAY PENTECOST). The Church of Jesus Christ. Here is JESUS AFFIRMING WHICH IS HIS CHURCH ON EARTH.

(Matt.16:13 17-18)

13. ... Whom do men say that I, THE SON OF MAN AM?
14. And Simon Peter answered and said, THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.
15. 17. … Blessed art thou, SIMON BAR-JONA: for FLESH AND BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED THIS unto thee, BUT MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
16. And I SAY ALSO UNTO THEE, That thou art Peter, and UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; and THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.

 

(EPH. 5:23) “For THE HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF THE WIFE, even as CHRIST IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH: and HE IS THE SAVIOUR of THE BODY.”

(COL.1:18): Here is what THE BODY IS:

And HE IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH: who is the beginning of, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things HE MIGHT HAVE THE PRE-EMINENCE.”

This is nothing but a flagrant rebellion against God and usurpation of his power, position, and authority. It is an equivalent of TREASON in any nation on earth. According to God’s Law, The Bible, THE GUILT OF SUCH KIND OF OFFENCE IS UNACQUITTABLE. That means unforgiveable, as SATAN'S REBELLION is unforgiveable.

(EXO. 34:7) …, and that will by no means clear THE GUILTY…”

LUTHER’S REFORMS also triggered off INGUISITIONS in EUROPE. It led to several years PERSECUTIONS in the form of HARASSMENT, FINES, BEING JAILED, and BURNT ON A STAKE even after THE REFORMER WAS GONE. That was also followed by EMIGRATIONS from country to country, first WITHIN EUROPE itself as RELIGIOUS PILGRIMS and eventually TO AMERICA, an example of which was the group that was led by their first leader WILLIAM BRADFORD later in Nov/11/1620.

NOW, WATCH THE PLAGUES WHICH WERE SET LOOSE UPON THE EARTH:

When God was done with HIS SERVANT MARTIN LUTHER, he called him home in 1546. Luther lived for 63 years. But just a little while before God called him home, AN EPIDEMIC NAMED, “COCOLIZTLI” broke out on earth. It lasted between 1545 and 1548. The same recurring events that follow THE CALLING AWAY OF EVERY CHURCH AGE MESSENGER happened to SARDIS CHURCH AGE TOO.

Records have it that THE EPIDEMIC was dominant in Central America. It claimed approximately 15 million Mexicans. Its enumerated symptoms included high fever, severe headache, black tongue, dark urine, dysentery, severe abdominal and chest pain. Head and neck nodule, neurological disorders, jaundice, profuse bleeding from the nose, sometimes eyes and mouth. Death often occurs within three to four days.

Please, recall our various Dictionary Definitions of “PLAGUE” in (ARTICLE 1); and Bible View of the same, referenced, in (Deuteronomy 28:58-61) above.

Again, from 1629 to 1631, The “ITALIAN PLAGUE,” a continuation of what was called “THE BLACK DEATH” broke out in Milan.

This was followed by an outbreak of “SMALLPOX” in Europe between 1633 and 1634. In London, this time, it was said that, “THE BLACK DEATH” Epidemic broke out, claiming approximately 100,000 lives, or 15% of London population. The result was that, there occurred, what was referred to as A MAXIMUM EXODUS OF POPULATION from London to the suburban areas. Fear struck the hearts of many.

It was said that THE PLAGUE was easily spread by fleas and infected rodents. As if that was not enough, “The Great Fire of London” followed on Sept/02/1666.

It is said, it burned for FOUR DAYS, destroying approximately 90% of Houses. JUDGEMENT BY FIRE, was used during THE TEN PLAGUES UPON EGYPT, (EXO. 9:23): “… and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran along the ground: and the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.”

Egypt suffered THEIR PLAGUES because THEIR KING, PHARAOH RAMESES defied The Simple MESSAGE OF THE LORD through HIS PROPHET MESSENGER MOSES: (EXO. 5:1-2):

1. And afterward, MOSES and AARON went in, and told PHARAOH, Thus saith The Lord God of Israel, “LET MY PEOPLE GO, THAT THEY MAY HOLD A FEAST UNTO ME IN THE WILDERNESS.”
2. And Pharaoh said, WHO IS THE LORD, THAT I SHOULD OBEY HIS VOICE TO LET ISRAEL GO? I know not The Lord, neither will I let Israel go”

Such was the kind of defiance to LUTHER by The Church Leaders in his day and age.

How about the wild forest fires, we see annually on the extensive forests of the variuos continent, of The Americas, Africa, Australia, and Europe? Are they co-incidental? Well, make up your conclusions. But I will remind you of another which is yet to come: (2Peter. 3:7)

“The heavens and the earth, which are now by the same WORD are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”

THAT WILL CERTAINLY COME TO PASS AS CERTAIN AS WE SEE THE SUN RISING EVERY MORNING AND SETTING EVERY EVENING.

And have you taken time to consider the fate of the two cities, SODOM, and GOMORRAH? The Bible contains the accounts of why they are today laying in the dust of the earth as authentic;undeniable; unrefutable historical monuments. (GEN.19:24-25)

24. “Then THE LORD RAINED upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord OUT OF HEAVEN.
25. And he OVERTHREW THOSE CITIES, and ALL THE PLAIN, and ALL THE INHABITANTS of the cities, and THAT WHICH GREW UPON THE GROUND. 
    

     THE RELICS ARE THERE TO SEE, IF THEY WILL MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU.

 

From 1720 to 1723, “THE GREAT PLAGUE OF MARSEILLES” occurred. It claimed up to 30% of the population of Marseilles. The explanation of the time had it that The Plague came from a Cargo Ship from eastern Mediterranean Sea. About 100,000 people died in Marseilles and the surrounding areas.

Between 1770 and 1772, another Plague called “THE RUSSIAN PLAGUE” struck the Earth again. It is said to have claimed, from between 52,000 and 100,000 lives in Moscow alone.

As we wind up SARDISIAN CHURCH AGE, LET’S remember that MARTIN LUTHER was sent to minister The Message of: “JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH.”

SARDIS was A CHURCH which in God’s eyes, was “SPIRITUALLY DEAD” because THE TRUE LIGHT of THE GOSPEL was almost wholly replaced by SPIRITUAL DARKNESS through: “THE CHURCH CREEDS; ” “DOCTRINES;” “SALE OF INDULGENCES FOR THE SINS OF THE DEPARTED; ” “THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST’S CHURCH ON EARTH;” “THE MEDIATORIAL POSITION OF CHRIST BETWEEN GOD AND MAN;” “THE ALTERED BIBLICAL BAPTISMAL CEREMONY;” “THE CLAIM OF TRANSFORMATION OF COMMUNION BREAD TO THE LITERAL BODY OF JESUS CHRIST;” and “OF COMMUNION WINE INTO THE LITERAL BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST,” etc., etc., etc.

The Scribe of The Book of Revelation, THE APOSTLE JOHN states it as follows: (REV.3:1-4)

”AND UNTO THE ANGEL, (Messenger), of The CHURCH IN SARDIS write, These things saith He that hath THE SEVEN SPIRITS, (Seven Manifestations of The Same Spirit) of God, and THE SEVEN STARS; (The Seven Church Age Messengers) I know THY WORKS, (No Faith), that thou hast a name, that thou livest, and YET ART DEAD.

THE SARDISIAN CHURCH AGE HEARERS OF LUTHER’S MESSAGE, definitely had a few who embraced it. The majority rejected it. His Message must have been taken lightly; no wonder THE PLAGUES that were loosed UPON THE AGE were MANY, DIVERSE and SEVERE: namely “The Cocoliztli, -1545 – 1548,” “The Italian Plague, 1629- 1631” “Smallpox in Europe, 1633 – 1634,” “Fire outbreaks, Sept. 1666” “The great plague of Marseilles, 1720 - 1723” “The Russian Plague, 1770 - 1772”, all within THE SARDISIAN CHURCH AGE- (1520 – 1750) etc.

Let me remind you again of The Quote from: [THE FIRST SEAL; 63-0318] Para 65].

“… Then God takes His Messenger, with the Elect of that Age and lays them away, asleep. And then He drops a PLAGUE upon them who rejected it; a temporary judgment.”

Just remember, this was only a temporary judgment. What will the full-scale judgment be like, friends, when it strikes this earth? When God says, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"

That pattern has been a set of recurring events throughout The Church Ages, both in OLD TESTAMENT and in THE NEW TESTAMENT. Let’s examine THE 6^TH CHURCH AGE NEXT:

 

[6]. THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH AGE. (1570 – 1906)

Its life span extended from 1570 to 1906, a period of 336 years. The MESSENGER TO THE AGE, was JOHN WESLEY, the first Son of SAMUEL and SUSAN WESLEY’S 19 children. He was born at Epworth, June/17^th/1703. The Lord called him home in Mar/02/1791. WESLEY lived for 88 years. His father was a Chaplain in the Church of England. Rather than his father’s Theology, it was his mother’s exemplary life that had a turn in his life. He was born 133 years after the start of The Philadelphia Church Age.

PHILADELPHIA means, “LOVE OF BRETHREN.” It was therefor the age of the manifestation of BROTHERLY LOVE. Identified by:

(REV. 3:8)

I know thy works: behold I have set before thee AN OPEN DOOR, and NO MAN CAN SHUT IT: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and HAST NOT DENIED MY NAME.

 

THE OPEN DOOR signified THE MISSIONARY AGE. Wesley’s Message was “SANCTIFICATION”, or “THE CALL TO HOLY LIVING”, not by works of the law or just good works, but Sanctified life through Grace and operation of The Holy Spirit.

Through The Wesleyan revival, God raised many mighty Warriors of faith. Some of them also became the greatest publishers and distributors of works of Christian Literature, teaching, and preaching. Some of them include Charles Spurgeon, (1838); Samuel Parker, (1779 – 1866) USA, McClaren, Edward, John Bunyan, George Mueller, Brainard, Barnes, David Livingstone, Watchman Nee of Fuzhou, China. (1903-1972) etc..

But The spirit of DENOMINATIONALISM, and NICOLAITANISM, had widely divided Christianity into HUNDREDS OF SECTARIANISMS. The ONENESS OF GOD, was twisted into TRINITARIANISM, presenting THE ONE GOD, as THREE PERSONS IN ONE. A PERSON to remain normal, can only have ONE PERSONALITY.

Also, The Right Christian Baptism in “THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,” (ACTS 2: 38), (8:16), (19:5), (9:18, 22:16), (10:48) was discarded and erroneous ones like SPRINKLING, BABY BAPTISMS, BAPTIZING IN THE TRINITARIAN BAPTISM OF FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST were adapted.

THE CORRECT and BIBLICALLY PRESCRIBED QUALIFICATIONS OF DEACONS, and PASTORS (BISHOPS) were DISREGARDED, MODIFIED to ACCOMMODATE AN INCLUSIVITY THAT MODERN THEOLOGY PRESCRIBED, rather than stay with what both, THE NEW TESTAMENT, and THE OLD TESTAMENT UPHOLDS. CHRISTIANITY sunk again into a yet-deeper Gross Darkness at the fading out of THE PHILADELPHIAN CHURCH AGE.

THE MESSAGE to SARDIS overlapped into PHILADELPHIA. Likewise, THE MESSAGE OF PHILADELPHIA into LAODICEA.

Therefore, acknowledging the recurring pattern of events we have noted in previous church ages, here is what we have gleaned from history during Philadelphian church age.

[1]. THE PHILADELPHIA YELLOW FEVER OF 1793.

JOHN WESLEY was called home in March/ 1791. And In 1793, AN EPIDEMIC named “THE PHILADELPHIA YELLOW FEVER broke out. It was an Epidemic on the US Capital, then. About 50,000 or more people died. The disease was described as being carried and transmitted by mosquitoes this region being within the humid climatic conditions.

Over 20,000 people were said to have fled The City, including high ranking Government Officials. Most did not return until the frost killed the mosquitoes, ending the outbreak.

Doctors tried a variety of treatments, but at that time, knew neither the origin of the fever, nor that the disease was transmitted by mosquitoes. This information was not verified until late 19^th Century.

Abolitionists called for people of African origin to be recruited to nurse the sick. (Ref. Wikipedia, 1793 Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic.) It was wrongly believed that slaves were immune. Some neighbouring Towns refused to let refugees in from Philadelphia for fear, they were carrying the fever.

Major Ports such as BALTIMORE and NEW YORK had QUARANTINES against Refugees and goods from PHILADELPHIA. Of course, necessary precautionary measures had to be taken to control spread.

 

[2]. THE GLOBAL CHOLERA PANDEMIC, (1846 – 1860).

Within this period of time, a worldwide Cholera had occurred. It is said to have killed 616 people. The cause of this cholera was attributed to Germany contaminated water.

In 1854, The cholera Pandemic had struck Great Britain. It is said that it took down 23,000 victims in a single day. Again, POOR SANITATION was said to be the cause of that outbreak, instead of ANOTHER VIEW which was: “MIASMA” (or an invisible foul Air supposed to rise from swamps.)

[3]. THE 1916; AMERICAN POLIO EPIDEMIC.

In New York City alone, it was said to have caused 27,000 cases and 6,000 deaths in the USA. It affected children mainly, leaving survivals with permanent disabilities. The Epidemic occurred sporadically in the USA, until 1954 when the Salk Vaccine was developed. The last reported Polio case in the USA, was in 1979.

Worldwide Vaccination effects reduced the disease, nonetheless it did not yet completely eradicate it.

[4]. THE SPANISH FLU; OR INFLUENZA PANDEMIC OF 1918-1920.

As one of the most catastrophic events in History, it killed between 20 – 50 million people globally. Approximately 500 million people from South Sea to North Pole were affected.

About 100 million people died and some indigenous communities were pushed to the brink of extinction. The Epidemic did not really start in Spain, but uncensored reporting falsely painted the picture wrong.

[5]. ASIAN FLU OF 1957 – 1958.

Again, like several OTHER EPIDEMICS, it is said to have started in CHINA and became global, claiming the lives of over 1 million people. This EPIDEMIC was reported in SINGAPORE an HONGKONG in April 1957.

Later, it spread to the coastal Cities of the USA, in summer of 1957. It is said that the USA alone had 116,000 death cases. So much for what happened after JOHN WESLEY preached and called off the scene in 1791.

Like ALL OF HIS PREDECESSORS, his message too, was not wholly accepted by them to whom he was sent. So, after The Lord LAID HIM TO SLEEP and THOSE WHO ACCEPTED AND BELIEVED IT, THE REJECTORS had to face the PLAGUES WHICH GOD DROPPED upon them as temporary judgment.

Because “INIQUITY SHALL ABOUND TOWARD THE END TIME,” (Mtt.24:12) there was “SO MUCH UNBELIEF” UPON THE INHABITANTS OF THIS EARTH” that THE PLAGUES OF ONE CHURCH AGE spilled over to THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CHURCH AGE.

We shall see more of the same in THE NEXT [7th] and FINAL CHURCH AGE, in (PART 8).

I trust, you have learned what is WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE concerning PLAGUES, PANDEMICS, and EPIDEMICS. Jesus has a question to EVERY INHABITANT of THIS EARTH:

 

(Luke 18:8): “… WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON EARTH?”

 

PASTOR MARTIN TOMBE

RESTORED BIBLE TRUTH ASSEMBLY.