From: Francis Harper
wbfrmsup@iowatelecom.net
Francis Harper Message for 10/25/2019
Solemn Warnings
“And then, at that day, before the Son of Man comes, the kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five of them were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them; but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Lest there be not enough for us and you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut. Afterward, came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, ye know me not” (Matthew 25:1-11).
The parable of the virgins is a prophecy of how it will be when Jesus returns to establish his kingdom. The door will be closed to those who are not prepared for his coming. The unprepared will not know Jesus. They will only know about him. In the Scriptures knowing someone implies an intimate relationship. Such as in the scripture “And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived” (Genesis 4:1 KJV; 4:2 IV). Do we know Jesus intimately? Do we converse with him often? Do we know his heart and will? Do we endeavor to please him in everything we do and say? Do we think of him often? Does he communicate with us? If we do not know Jesus intimately, it is not likely that we will be gathered with the saints to accompany the Lord when he comes. See 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.
Jesus said: “Verily I say unto you, it is not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. For the day soon cometh, that men shall come before me to judgment, to be judged according to their works. And many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name; and in thy name cast out devils; and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I say, ye never knew me; depart from me ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:30-33). We must “hear him,” and always do his perfect will and not our own. “Because strait [difficult to find] is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:23 IV; 7:14 KJV).
Good parents warn their children of any danger that might harm or hinder them in any way, whether it be physical or spiritual. They warn their children because they love them. Similarly, our Heavenly Father’s warnings are an expression of his great love for us. King Benjamin warned: “If ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God, and continue in the faith . . . even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish” (Mosiah 2:49). “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
“And the day cometh that they who will not hear the voice of the Lord, neither the voice of his servants, neither give heed to the words of the prophets and apostles shall be cut off from among the people” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:3-c).
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Dear Ones,
We who have been warned have an obligation to warn our neighbors. During the early morning hours of July 10, 2015, I was awakened with these words being repeated to me again and again: “Go forth and testify and warn the people.” I tried to go back to sleep, but due to the constant repetition of these words, sleep was impossible. I felt that these words could be found in the Scriptures. I thought perhaps they could be found in the Doctrine and Covenants. As I searched in my Concordance of the Doctrine and Covenants, under the word “testify,” I was pleased to find nearly the same words in section 85, paragraph 22-a: “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor; therefore they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads.”
Those who have been blessed with the knowledge of the consequences of unremitted sins and the way of salvation have an obligation to warn those who have not heard or been taught the principles of the gospel. They need to know, “. . . the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
Cain asked, “Am I my brother’s keeper” (Genesis 5:19 IV; 4:9 KJV). Jesus said to Peter: “. . . when you are converted, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22:32). Paul understood his call to preach Christ, “whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man with all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ” (1 Colossians 1:28). Wisdom dictates however, that we should not use undue pressure to bring souls to the Lord.
Those who neglect to share the gospel with those who have “ears to hear” may be punished for their negligence. Paul said: “. . . necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
Ezekiel wrote: “Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying . . . he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword [of justice] come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the House of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul” (Ezekiel 33:1, 5-9).
Jacob, son of Lehi, wrote of his responsibility, “. . . having firstly obtained mine errand from the Lord . . . taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins upon our own heads, if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our mights [that] their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise, their blood would come upon our garments and we would not be found spotless at the last day” (Jacob 1:17-20).
The Lord is calling his servants of the priesthood and non-priesthood to go forth and testify and warn our families, neighbors and others that the day of judgment is near. All of us will be judged on the day of our death. “Who then is that faithful and wise servant? And the Lord said unto them, It is that servant who watcheth to impart his portion of meat in due season. Blessed be that servant whom his Lord shall find, when he cometh, so doing” (Luke 12:50-52 IV; Luke 12:42-43 KJV).
High Priest Francis Harper
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