Apr-June-25

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

Volume #30 April - June, 2025 Issue #129

"There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is 'PRESENT TRUTH' that the flock needs now." Early Writings, p 63.

Elder: robert sessler

E-mail address: ltblmin@outlook.com

GREATER and LESSER LIGHT, part 4

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.

In our last Newsletter we discovered that the focus or purpose of stars as God created them is to humbly depend upon God for their daily fuel to burn, and to deny and sacrifice self in order to shine light outward to others. But the focus or purpose of wayward stars is to proudly depend upon themselves for daily fuel to burn, to shine brighter and feed off the sacrifice of others in order to grow larger, darker and colder becoming either a Red Giant or Red Supergiant Star.

We then learned that some wayward stars do not peacefully die when they run out of fuel to burn, but they instead collapse upon themselves and convert into a center of attraction by drawing others inward towards themselves, becoming either a Neutron Star or a Black Hole.

A Neutron Star’s main focus or purpose is to passively or actively cause strife, problems and destruction to others all around. But the focus or purpose of Black Holes is to passively or actively absorb light and increase darkness to others all around, which can include exhibiting greater deception than other wayward stars.

We then discovered that stars can represent each human being - especially those who minister. As stars need a daily supply of fuel from God in order to live, then so do human beings need a daily supply of grace from God in order for their spiritual life to live. But if we do not daily depend upon God then He can not daily bless or sustain us with His grace, and we then begin to die and depend upon ourselves until our light goes out in darkness. And if our influence over others was large, we could then become like a supernova where our light of self grows larger and brighter until it explodes, our probation closes, and then where an unselfish faithful follower of God used to be, we would instead become like a Neutron Star that selfishly attracts and then destroys any we come into contact with, or like a self-centered Black Hole that selfishly devours and absorbs any we come into contact with by our darkness.

But we also learned if our spiritual life has begun to die, that if our daily supply of grace could be restored, we would no longer need to depend upon ourselves or upon others in order to live. In this scenario, the dying process could be reversed, and self would shrink down in size until we were converted back to our original purpose of life. But once our spiritual life completely dies, our light forever goes out in darkness, and then there is no possibility of ever coming back to God, but we would remain a selfish, self-centered follower of Satan.

We then understood that our own light can never supercede the light of the Bible or the light of the Spirit of Prophecy. So whatever light we think we have is by no means greater than the light shining from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. If we proudly think our light is somehow greater than the light of the Bible, or greater than the light of the Spirit of Prophecy, then this shows us that we are most assuredly depending upon ourselves, which indicates that our spiritual life is dying. We are trying to change God’s order of ruling authority in matters of the light of truth, believing that our particular light should be exalted above the light of the Bible or above the light of the Spirit of Prophecy! This is what led to Satan’s downfall in heaven and being cast out of God’s favor forever. So please do not allow your light to also go astray from God’s purpose.

Now, we have learned that God gave the moon to combat and dispel the darkness of night, and in like manner He has given the Spirit of Prophecy to Ellen White to specifically help His remnant elect understand truth and avoid being deceived by the Devil’s erroneous falsehoods. But what does the Testimony of Jesus itself state on this fact of truth?

The Spirit of Prophecy declares the following regarding the writings of Ellen White:

“As the end draws near, and the work of giving the last warning to the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence of the Testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the work of the third angel's message from its very rise....

“In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will, and the course that He would have them pursue.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p 654, 661.

“At that time [after the 1844 disappointment] one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error.

“As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.” Gospel Works, p. 302.

“We must follow the directions given through the Spirit of prophecy. We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. God has spoken to us through His Word. He has spoken to us through the Testimonies to the church, and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy.” Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 298.

“...the Lord has given me much light that I want the people to have; for there is instruction that the Lord has given me for His people. It is light that they should have, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. This is now to come before the people, because it has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth. The Lord has revealed many things pointing out the truth, thus saying, "This is the way, walk ye in it."--Letter 127, 1910.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 32.

“I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the "last days"; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth.” Early Writings, p. 78.

These inspired passages reveal that God gave the Spirit of Prophecy to Ellen White to specify to His people “the course that He would have them pursue” and “the position that we should now occupy” in these last days. In order to achieve this, God’s will is that sister White’s writings are to clearly “define what is truth and what is error“, to “correct specious errors and to specify what is truth”, “to correct those who err from Bible truth”, which will “save us from accepting strong delusions“ in these last days.

So God mercifully has given us the Spirit of Prophecy to reprove, correct, and instruct His remnant elect last day people into all the truth of God’s word and away from all error. The writings of sister White define what is Bible truth and what is not Bible truth.

This then means that if we believe we have the correct interpretation of the Bible, but we see that the Spirit of Prophecy contradicts our interpretation, then we have a choice to make. Do we humbly submit to God’s will, accept what the Spirit of Prophecy states is truth and then change our interpretation in order to come into harmony with all of God’s inspired word? Or do we rebel against God’s will, reject what the Spirit of Prophecy states is truth, and then keep our own interpretation? Do we allow the Spirit of Prophecy to rule over and dispel darkness in our hearts with its lesser light, or do we allow our very faint and even dimmer light to rule in our hearts in the place of the Testimony of Jesus?

Now, the author of both the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the truth, not truth for the Bible only and then truth and error for the Testimonies of Jesus. In like manner, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, not truth for the Bible only and then truth and error for the writings of sister White. And since Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the Author of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, then they both speak with only one word of truth, which means that there is no contradiction between them!

“The Bible must be your counselor. Study it and the testimonies God has given; for they never contradict His Word.--Letter 106, 1907.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 32.

This inspired passage reveals that sister White never contradicts the Bible, and therefore the Bible never contradicts the Spirit of Prophecy. This is because they are both just 1 word - the word of Jesus through the Holy Spirit. They both shine with only 1 light of truth - the sun of righteousness Jesus Christ.

”God is either teaching His church, reproving their wrongs, and strengthening their faith, or He is not. This work is of God, or it is not. God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work...bears the stamp of God, or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil.” Testimonies, vol. 5, p 671.

This inspired passage reveals that the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy are either from God or from the Devil. The writings of sister White are either all truth or all error; either all light or all darkness! This means that there are no grey areas with the Spirit of Prophecy! It is either all light of truth or all darkness of error. This further means that you cannot pick and choose what you want to believe and what you don’t want to believe. If the Spirit of Prophecy disagrees with your opinions, ideas, interpretations and beliefs regarding what the Bible teaches, then it is your opinions, ideas, interpretations and beliefs that are in error and are false, not the Spirit of Prophecy. It is the Lord God Jesus Christ speaking directly to you through the writings of Ellen White. If you reject her writings in one or more areas, then you are rejecting the Lord God Jesus Christ and Bible truth.

As this is true, then what exactly happens when we discover that the Spirit of Prophecy does not agree with our ideas, opinions, interpretations and beliefs, and we then become confused between what we read in the Bible versus what we read in the writings of Ellen White?

“There are many who interpret that which I write in the light of their own preconceived opinions. You know what this means. A division in understanding and diverse opinions is the sure result.

“How to write in a way to be understood by those to whom I address important matter, is a problem I cannot solve. But I will endeavor to write much less. Owing to the influence of mind upon mind, those who misunderstand can lead others to misunderstand, by the interpretation they place upon the subjects from my pen. One understands them as he thinks they should be, in accordance with his ideas. Another puts his construction upon the written matter, and confusion is the sure result.-- Letter 96, 1899.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 79-80.

“This is the reason that men and women do not always see their errors and mistakes, even when these are pointed out to them. They claim to believe the testimonies that come to them, until the message comes that they must change their plans and methods, that their character-building must be altogether different, else the storm and tempest will sweep it from its foundation. Then the enemy tempts them to justify themselves....

“But I tell you in the name of the Lord that the words of this writing are from God. If you choose thus to dispose of the matter, you show the measure of your faith in the work that the Lord has given His servant to do.--Letter 13, 1902.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 80 par 3-4.

These inspired passages clearly reveal what happens with some people. Many who claim to believe that God gave Ellen White the Spirit of Prophecy interpret what she writes in the light of their own opinions or ideas or interpretations. Then when they read something that contradicts their opinions or beliefs, a misunderstanding and a division occurs as to what is truth to them. Then a conflict begins in their heart on whether to humbly accept what sister White writes and then change their opinion, or to proudly reject what she writes and maintain their belief. Then Satan enters into this conflict and tempts them to cling to their opinions and reject the Spirit of Prophecy. If they choose to follow Satan’s suggestion and reject what the Spirit of Prophecy states is truth, they then feel that they must justify their chosen rejection by telling other people, and thus they help spread this misunderstanding to others who then may become confused on what to believe. And this is exactly what Satan desires! So I hope you all can see more clearly this controversy between God and Satan, this battle between truth and error, and sadly it will only continue to grow until the end because Satan hates the writings of Ellen White.

Dear ones, Satan is a wily and very devious foe. He knows the Scriptures better than any of us, and thus he knows exactly what deceptive twist to place on verses in order to lead us away from truth.

“Satan is an expert in quoting Scripture, placing his own interpretation upon passages, by which he hopes to cause us to stumble....we must constantly guard against the devices of Satan”. Great Constroversy, p 530.

“In these days many deceptions are being taught as truth. Some of our brethren have taught views which we cannot endorse. Fanciful ideas, strained and peculiar interpretations of the Scripture are coming in. Some of these teachings may seem to be but jots and tittles now, but they will grow and become snares to the inexperienced.

“We have a decided work to do. Let not the enemy cause us to swerve from the proclamation of the definite truth for this time, and turn our attention to fanciful ideas.

“Unless we are individually wide awake to discern the workings of the Holy Spirit, we shall certainly stumble and fall into Satan's pitfalls of unbelief.” Selected Messages, book 1, p 169.

These inspired passages clearly reveals that Satan places his own interpretation or strained and extreme views upon particular Bible verses and then suggests these false interpretations and extreme views to our mind, hoping we will accept these as our own, and sadly many have accepted these as being Bible truth and have fallen into his deep, dark pit.

So then how do you know that the particular interpretation of Bible verses you believe are not from the Devil? Or that your particular interpretation you cling to is not a strained and extreme view from the Devil? God has told you how to know: “To the law (Bible) and to the testimony (Spirit of Prophecy)”. But if you doubt the writings of Ellen White, then you no longer can detect your interpretation to actually be error, or that your extreme view is from the Devil, and now he has you securely in his trap. That’s why he is so active in attacking the Spirit of Prophecy so that he can keep precious souls believing his darkness to the loss of their souls, instead of being set free by the truth!

Now I do not believe that most who follow Satan’s suggestions to reject the Spirit of Prophecy in one or more areas are really aware of exactly what they are doing. But just because they may be unaware, does not excuse them from being an agent of Satan to spread misunderstanding, confusion, doubt and unbelief regarding the writings of sister White.

What many do not realize is that since the Spirit of Prophecy, like the Bible, is either all inspired by God or all darkness from Satan, then if they disbelieve or reject even just 1 passage, they are actually declaring all sister White’s writings to be from the Devil. This is because if 1 passage is error, then all is error. So again, you cannot pick and choose what you want to believe in the Testimonies of Jesus. This is also why we must be extremely careful what we say or write regarding the writings of Ellen White.

None of us want to have the blood of the lost upon our garments because we caused and spread doubt and disbelief in the lesser light of God’s inspired word and they believed us and gave it up! It would have been better to keep our doubts to ourselves and become lost, than to open our mouths and spread doubts to others causing their loss of eternal life as well!

Now then, what if people believe and then spread to us that some of the writings of sister White cannot be trusted to teach Bible truth, and then we ourselves become confused on what to believe? What should we do?

“I am again and again reminded that I am not to try to clear away the confusion and contradiction of faith and feeling and unbelief that is expressed. I am not to be depressed, but am to speak the words of the Lord with authority, and then leave with Him all the consequences.

“I am instructed by the Great Physician to speak the word that the Lord gives me, whether men will hear or whether they will forebear. I am told that I have nothing to do with the consequences, that God, even the Lord Jehovah, will keep me in perfect peace if I will rest in His love and do the work He has given me.--Letter 146, 1902.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 75 par 2-3.

“I have a work to do for those who will be helped, even if the light given does not harmonize with their ideas. They will recognize the light from God, because they have the fruits of the work which the Lord has been pleased to do through His humble instrument in the last forty-five years. They acknowledge this work to be of God, and are therefore willing to be corrected in their ideas and to change their course of action.

“But those who will maintain and retain their own ideas, and because they are corrected, conclude that Sister White is influenced to take a certain course of action which is not in harmony with their ideas...could not be benefitted. I would not consider such friends to be of any value in a hard place, especially in a crisis. Now you have my mind. I do not want to do the work of God in a bungling manner. I want to know what duty is and move in harmony with the Spirit of God.--Letter 3, 1889.” Selected Messages, book 3, p 78-79.

These inspired passages reveal that God has provided enough evidence to prove that He gave the Spirit of Prophecy to Ellen White, which means that all her writings are inspired of God. We now have a choice to make in humbly following this lesser light so that we can correctly understand the greater light of the Bible, or to proudly reject her writings believing she is not inspired of God and then follow our own even dimmer light. This is an either / or decision, because we cannot pick and choose.

Now for those who choose to accept all of the Testimonies of Jesus, but are troubled by what others are saying about her writings, and you are then tempted to doubt what the Spirit of Prophecy states is truth, here is something that will help. What you need to remember and repeat to yourself is the following facts of truth:

God gave Ellen White the Spirit of Prophecy in fulfillment of Bible prophecy (Joel 2:28-32; Revelation 6:12-17), and “the testimonies God has given...never contradict His Word” (3SM 32), because the writings of sister White “bears the stamp of God”, has “nothing in partnership with Satan” (5T 671), and I am a humble, submissive follower of God willing to be reproved, corrected and instructed by “the law and...the testimony” (Isaiah 8:20) so that I can know and follow the truth through God’s grace and power.

Repeating this over and over to yourself will aid you in overcoming the temptations of the Devil to doubt any of sister White’s writings, and will help keep you in the correct pathway of all the truth which God mercifully has provided for you in these last days.

But with some, the strength of their own opinions, ideas, interpretations, and beliefs is greater than their faith in all the Spirit of Prophecy being inspired truth from God. This doubt will lead them to find some reason or excuse to justify their rejecting the Testimony of Jesus in one or more areas, and to then have an urgent desire to share with others their reasons for doubting sister White’s writings.

And what are some of these reasons or excuses of doubt the Devil gets people to come up with against the Spirit of Prophecy? This is what we will be examining into next time.

HEALTH - MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK

The Health and Medical Missionary work in the Central African nation of Zambia is continuing, but needs more support to meet the demand for herbal and natural materials for treatments. To the glory of God, precious souls are receiving valuable instruction on health, as well as natural treatments for various ailments as funds permit. Praise God for His healing grace, and the testimonies for the glory of God.

We again solicit and greatly appreciate your prayers and continued support in furthering this great Medical Missionary work, especially for precious souls to be won to Jesus Christ through this mighty entering wedge of Health Reform.

Many of our present truth videos are currently on the world-wide web for anyone to freely watch and study through. All these videos can be found listed on our website under Online Videos (http://www.LightMinistries.com/SDA/id1245.htm). You can also find these present truth videos on our YouTube channel - Let There Be Light Ministries (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqfJdqkw4QDXEuSyEQe7SgQ).

Currently we have over 9,150 people who have viewed these videos, and over 114,000 minutes have been logged, and with God’s blessing and your prayers many more to come. Please keep this great evangelistic outreach endeavor in your thoughts and prayers, and may God lead 1000's more precious souls to watch these and become convicted on the Present Truth before it is too late!

Come join with us in fellowship over your computer, smart phone, iPad, Kindle or land line. To fellowship with us over the internet, type or paste the following link into your browser: http://zoom.us and download the Zoom App. Then go to: https://zoom.us/j/4663248724, follow the simple instructions and you should be logged into the room - it's that simple! But if you happen to have outdated computers/devices then instead use this link: https://zoom.us/wc/join/4663248724?pwd=. If you have any problems, visit our Technical Support page at: http://www.lightministries.com/HC/id20.htm.

For those who have no computers or internet access, you can join our live Home Church fellowship over the phone, and we will be able to hear you speak to us! In the USA dial 1-408-638-0968 or 1-646-558-8656 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-929-205-6099, or if you are in Canada dial 1-647-558-0588. After being prompted punch in the Meeting ID code: HOMECHURCH# (466-324-8724#). You will then be automatically connected to listen to our live Church Service. Please be aware that these are NOT Toll Free numbers. If you live in a different country and would also like to join with us over the phone, then please contact me for a number to dial within your country.

We praise God for allowing us to gather together as one Home Church family in Christ Jesus, and look forward to having you also join with us!

TO OUR READERS AND SUPPORTERS:

"Let There Be Light" Ministries is not using your prayers and donations to build itself into a kingdom, but is concerned with getting the Present Truth into the hands of the common people quickly, effectively, and wisely. Instead of working towards acquiring expensive video and T.V. production equipment, satellite or shortwave facilities, we would rather use the Lord's money in publishing and distributing materials which give the full present truth gospel, as well as supporting many full-time foreign ministers and workers around the world who have proven themselves to be reliable and stable. With their monthly support and present truth materials supplied them, these ministers and workers then have the ability to more effectively spread the spoken and printed truth, establish the people in it, and carry this precious truth into the very homes of those who sit in darkness. This is how the Loud Cry of the Third Angel will be spread, and is now being spread! If the Lord impresses you to help in these endeavors, your donations will be greatly appreciated--not just by this Ministry, but by many others as well! MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS YOU!

"Let There Be Light" Ministries is committed to the spreading of the full present truth gospel message worldwide, and has been doing so since 1986. This Ministry has operating expenses covering the areas of: printing, publishing, and writing of present truth books, booklets, tracts, and other literature; DVD, video and audio taping, production, and distribution; supporting ministers and workers in foreign Countries; mail order – both domestic and foreign; traveling to hold meetings – both locally, nationally, and internationally; answering correspondence and questions regarding the message of truth; offering National and International Bible studies; sending free present truth literature to contacts in many poor Countries; etc.

Your gracious prayers and support is greatly appreciated and needed. Without the Lord's guidance, blessings, and your support, this Ministry could not continue to reach out worldwide with the precious message of Revelation 14:6-12 & 18:1-5.

May our God and Saviour continue to lead and guide all those who have helped us reach souls who sit in darkness with the precious light of gospel truth. May our supporters remember that they share in each and every soul who has been reached by this Ministry and converted to the Lord and His present truth!

GENERAL FOREIGN MISSION WORK NEEDS

We are currently supporting workers in different Countries on a monthly basis. We check into the economy of each area and supply a base support which is adequate depending on their situation, but not extravagant. This base support is to ensure that the monthly needs of each worker and family is met for that month so that the worker may devote full time to the ministry work. In addition to this, we are sending extra materials for evangelism, and money for printing, publishing, holding meetings, traveling, and other necessary areas in spreading the Present Truth in their Country. And as the work extends, especially will the expenses for evangelism expand. Whatever you can send to help in this necessary and vital area is greatly appreciated.

The work of spreading God's present truth is not to be limited, but must extend world-wide to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people before our Saviour can come (Matthew 24:14). What better way of spreading the Present Truth Gospel than by having workers who speak the native language, who reside in that particular Country, who can live and preach the truth, visit the interests in their homes, and spread the printed truth translated into their native language!

"Our publications should be printed in other languages, that foreign nations may be reached. Much can be done through the medium of the press, but still more can be accomplished if the influence of the living preacher goes with our publications....The Lord has moved upon men of other tongues and has brought them under the influence of the truth, that they might be qualified to labor in His cause." Testimonies, vol 3, p 204-205.

Please financially help us to continue supporting our current ministers and workers on a consistent basis, so that the spreading of the truth will not be interrupted but can quickly lighten this dark world with the glory of God.

"Every opportunity should be improved to extend the truth to other nations. This will be attended with considerable expense, but expense should in no case hinder the performance of this work. Means are of value only as they are used to advance the interest of the kingdom of God. The Lord has lent men means for this very purpose, to use in sending the truth to their fellow men." Testimonies, vol 3, p 208.

SPECIFIC MONTHLY FOREIGN MISSION WORK NEEDS

KENYA, East Africa:

M Printing of booklets and tracts in Kenya.

M Purchase of refurbished lap top computer - $230. (This need has been met - PTL)